While writing this, out of 71.876 users, 1.986 are active in this very moment! That is just awesome! Only 216 of these that are active right now are members, which is decent, but not entierly awesome (please become a member).

There are are about 90 sub forums with a total of 83.501 threads and 557.114 posts and 71.876 users - an unmatched wealth of information provided in a an equally unmatched structured and easily accessible manner! It is truely magnificent!

Out of all those sub forums, seven has seen a post in the last 24 hours. So what does that mean? First of all, it means that visitors find what they are looking for in the accumulation of information that we all have contributed to over so many years (you won't find it on facebook). It also means that people are posting questions elsewhere. It also means that many people don't share their findings or opinions on HU to the extent that they could and should - which is a shame, because the information, the debate, the opinions - it is so, so valuable - now and for the future!

Lately I have received several suggestions to look up FB groups, rather than to show my patience and give HU users the opportunity to answer my questions. It is worrysome. FB has proven to be a forum killer. The disussions and information gets fragmented across a myriad of FB groups. In addition, the life span of posts are short, and old information is difficult to discover and access. In addition, the community is also fragmented. Last but not the least, it is far more difficult to assess the reliability or value of the information given. In HU for instance it is far easier to evaluate the legacy of each user, amongst other things.

I hope that more people are willing to contribute by being active - also those that are new to HU. Everyone has an opinion on everything - share it! I also wan't users to post here first, and have a bit of patience - the questions will get answered eventually. Also, if you find interesting insights in other places - come back here and share it - it will be appreciated by someone!

I also urge users to become paying members, if only every now and then. Buying HU merch is a great way to show your support with both money and promotion at the same time, as is showing patrionage to their affiliated partners and advertisers. Have you bought the DVD's? They are awesome!

Grant and Susan has invested sooooo much in this community for so many years, and keeps on doing it - and it has not come free to them. All of this to our benefit. Those that are able, and who have found value in HU, should pay their way by contributing a bit of coin and by showing other forms of support to HU and its invested community. HU has been arround for a very long time - we shouldn't take it for granted - there is nothing in this world that is free, and mooching is not cool.

Lastly I hope that users contribute to the community by offering travellers local support - i.e. offering a bed or a place to pitch a tent, offering help with local logistics or advice on the lay of the land, offering bike storage, offer to come to the rescue locally if something goes pear shaped, offering to grab a or a coffee - and maybe even offering a bit of paying work, or helping to find it, to those that need to replennish their travel treasury with a few extra coins. Having support of a community is so important - even if you never end up actually using it.

HU is so strong and magnificent, please help keeping it that way!

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