I don't know what the answers are Bill but I have always hoped that people will take it in turns trying to play "moderator". I hate doing that bit but have tried on occasions, also, there have been times during long periods of silence where I have felt obliged to try and do something just to have someone doing something.

It is pretty well impossible to know how other people are feeling - wouldn't it be nice to be able to see faces and facial expressions? and one can only hope that people can understand those difficulties.

One problem is that it is difficult to know who is prepared to sing and who isn't and we are getting an increasing number of people who come in just to listen for a while so perhaps the mic/no mic suggestion kat made would help everybody know who wants to "perform" and who doesn't. Beyond that, I can only think that we have to try to work in strict rotation, bringing people who join in later as and when possible and IMO, the easies way to do this is for people to remember they were after another person and have to be ready and willing to take that slot or pass onto the next person and wait till it comes round again. It is to much ike hard work for somebody to maintain a list.

Anyway, just my thoughts. The Hearme link may currently use my site but the only time I would interfere with what happens there (I would feel obliged to) is in cases of really abusive behaviour which I don't believe will ever happen amongst our company, and beyond that, it is up to everybody who wants to use to to find a method that works.

Also, while Hearme is on my site, I can provide additional rooms or change some features if anyboy requires.

Jon