Reading through posts in one of my groups today I once again came across a ‘newbie’ asking the newbie questions. Yes, it’s familiar and often repeated ground, but with some archives holding thousands of posts stretching over years, it would be too much to expect new members to read everything that’s been posted. Most of these groups were started with the idea of sharing information and welcome the new ideas and perspectives that can come hand in hand with the same old questions.

There is a wealth of knowledge in group archives, and even fairly easy ways of searching, so anyone looking for answers to questions can learn a lot. Certain threads come up often -- learning disorders, sleeping... more

There’s a lot to learn from Web groups, list serves, whatever you like to call them, and one for pretty much anyone about pretty much anything. I belong to far too many, but glean knowledge from posters (as in ‘those who post’, not ‘big pieces of paper with stuff written on’.) almost every day.

I’ve learned recipes, remedies and recreations, taken tips on sleeping, snacking and siblings and laughed a lot over the darndest things kids say and parental responses to downright silliness.

Along with facts and wisdom, there are hints about the people behind user names. Some aspects of members are obvious due to the list they’re on: GAARP -- Gracefully Aging Adoptive Refine Parents... more