I didn't attempt to chart the length of time in the Gulch because there is no easy way to do that, (very difficult to compile the data) but you are right, that is pertinent in the analysis.
The Gulch site has the data stored, and it might be informative if we could make database queries. I think the Gulch may be losing a lot of potential active members just after signup but I can't tell with this limited data.
I started thinking about this because I posted another topic a few days ago proposing a different point scheme and asking for feedback.
I'd like to hear what you think, too.
If you missed it, see this topic:
Currency Inflation in the Gulch
http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/2a...

The numbers are only a little deceiving in that, like most sites, most members simply choose not to interact. The 80/20 rule is more like the 95/5 rule here in the Gulch. That doesn't mean they're not here, it just means they're not interacting publicly - we actually get private emails everyday commenting on the goings on in the Gulch. They're always encouraged to post publicly, but the Gulch can be a pretty intimidating place for some.

Also, point totals are just that - point totals. They're an aggregate of both up and down-votes. 1000s actually show up daily. They hang out, they read, sometimes they vote or comment, and they go. Out of the 20,000 members, 15,000+ are subscribed to the daily digest email which alone results in 3000+ showing up every day. And not the same 3,000 each day. It just depends on the day, and who finds what of interest in the digest. More come in from facebook, twitter, the movie web sites, blogs, the weekly email newsletter (close to 200,000), google searches, etc.

We're always encouraging more lurkers to engage. While most are fans of Rand, not everyone is a social butterfly.

Very cool chart freedomforall.

I thought about that, but I wanted to get more ideas from other members before making a request. I didn't think it was a request yet; perhaps I misunderstand the category.

FFA, there are many new comers to this site. Of course they have fewer posts. There are 60 persons with over 1000 posts. I will never catch up to them. (I do not want to, I'm here to learn)
Look at the drop off after 500 posts. Did they become discouraged/unwanted/tired. It might be helpful to find out why they dropped out. This is if I'm understanding your pie correctly.

ok. I'm listening. actually, I thought you should change your other post's category to feature requests. Just so admin were reviewing it. But I figured you already had a plan .

As you know I have been thinking about the point system lately and my enquiring mind just wondered and wandered.
I knew that most discussions were between members I was accustomed to seeing here. I couldn't see an easy way to estimate number of posts, but point counts were shown on the Member tab.
Based on my WAG estimates (of those infrequent posting members,) it appears that 94.7% of points go to about 1.1% of members.

I'd like to find a way to engage more members in the discussions. We would all benefit.

Note: I also estimated the number of points for the 20,000 at a total of 19,000. Apologies for leaving this out of the original post.

this is interesting. What was your motivation for this? just curious