I've lurked on boards elsewhere, and I find the most inhibiting factor when it comes to posting - or thinking about posting - is when everyone who does post seems to know everyone else very well. The atmosphere is like a club - or, to be less polite, it can be cliqueish. That kind of environment can really make a newbie feel like an outsider, especially when you get those three-word posts which mean nothing to you but clearly make all the regulars laugh hysterically.
I really hope we're not like that here on these boards...
