bobroseman wrote:Here is a case where taking the average would be misleading.

I doubt any of the HB polls would stand up to statistical scrutiny, but it is curious how the results differ. One member suggested offline that it may speak to the difference between first-time versus long-time visitors. The first timers are likely to pass by the home page and may well skip the forums entirely; long timers are likely to go directly to the forums.

On one poll 15 responded to the over 3K category and on the other 16 responded to that category. I wonder if I was the one who only responded once?

I was commenting on the bimodal distribution which I find to be interesting. It suggests that people tend to dip their toes in and then jump in whole hog. Not so many start or move into the mid range figures. On the other hand, I know that I am making too much out of too little data.

Bob

I jump into the root page, see if there is a new top level article and then go to the forums. I cast my vote in the forum, not on the root page

I really only have one, errr...acceptable set-up...but have an espresso graveyard in the basement which consists of:
- 3 REMAINING Coffee Gaggia (of the 5 purchased over the past several years) - I usually kept one at home + one in the office
- 1 La Pavoni piston machine
- 1 Krupps steam toy (of the 5 purchased over the first several years)
- various cups, knock boxes, pitchers, etc.
- a moka or two.

Frankly, I would still be using yet another Coffee Gaggia had I not one day wondered into Coffee Geek (before this site was even a gleam in Dan's eye). I have been drinking espresso for nearly 30 years but thought a home machine could be little better than the Coffee Gaggia.

(Note to self: "pay attention in future!")

Len

The home page poll held to its early trend with more than 50% saying they spent less than $1500 compared to the forum followers who filled the opposite extreme with 50% reporting spending more than $2500.

Worldman wrote:I have been drinking espresso for nearly 30 years but thought a home machine could be little better than the Coffee Gaggia.

You will have another opportunity to peg the meter with the new home page poll: How long have you been making espresso at home?

• Just thinking about it
• Less than a month
• A few months
• Less than a year
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5+ years

well on value my kit's worth around about $900 worth, but i got it all 2nd hand for $120, and then found that my dad had an old coffee grinder (of course it's a burr grinder not blade) so for $120 I'm not arguing!

oh and Gatewood - espresso fanaticism is much easier for you than it is for me, I'm 16 and my dad seems to wonder why a teenager is more interested in coffee preparation than being moody and depressed! Honestly! You'd think he'd be happier with a hyperactive coffee fueled son than a moody one!