Serial tinkerers chat group and the members who bring newcomers in
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2026 6:55 am
General discussion, not a terminal question for once.
A few of us run a chat server for people who tinker with serial devices, microcontrollers and old test gear. A lot of CoolTerm screenshots get shared there. About 130 members.
Most of the active members came in through a handful of regulars who invite friends, help them get a first board talking over serial and keep answering questions. We wanted to recognise those regulars, but the join count counted everyone, including the many who joined to fix one baud rate problem and left.
We now use a bot that only counts people who stay past their first week, and the credit finally goes to the right people.
How do others here keep newcomers around after their first problem is solved?
A few of us run a chat server for people who tinker with serial devices, microcontrollers and old test gear. A lot of CoolTerm screenshots get shared there. About 130 members.
Most of the active members came in through a handful of regulars who invite friends, help them get a first board talking over serial and keep answering questions. We wanted to recognise those regulars, but the join count counted everyone, including the many who joined to fix one baud rate problem and left.
We now use a bot that only counts people who stay past their first week, and the credit finally goes to the right people.
How do others here keep newcomers around after their first problem is solved?