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>There was 2500+ in 1995 and over a 1000 in 1996. The numbers have been going down.

I think I agreed that they are down overall. I also said there are reasons other than what you are stating.

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>But is it up or down from levels of 5-8 years ago? How about the aggregate numbers of groups. The philly group had 200 people on the list. Today, that group has been defunct for at least 5 years now...

Overall numbers for my group are holding steady. When I took over the group about six years ago, we had about 60 people on the email list. We have about that same number today. I can't comment on attendance/membership for other groups. However I have talked to several people over the last 12-18 months who are resurrecting user groups in their area. There are reasons for user groups to disappear other than what you are stating.