On Flames and Mailing lists, and a bit about computers

From: Roger Merchberger <zmerch_at_northernway.net>
Date: Wed Mar 18 23:38:50 1998

;-) Clearing the snow from my glasses, I saw Captain Napalm typed:

Note: My first, last & only on this subject...

[snip]

> And yet it continues (and Sam, in your reply to the above you appear sane
>and rational, yet your diatribes on the list show a completely different
>side, and one that isn't very flattering).

In my experiences as well, during private e-mail exchanges with Sam (one on
a similar vein to this) he does seem much more level-headed, but in this
instance I do believe that Sam is *way* off-base here. To stretch things
just a wee bit, Hitler proved that in the end, dictatorship is a bad way to
be. Sam seems to be bent on ruling with an iron fist, which I believe would
stifle any list he creates, not being allowed to flourish.

> Bill may "own" the current list, but that still doesn't prevent anyone
>from starting up a new list dedicated to the same topic, only time and
>resources. And perhaps against my better judgment, I'm doing such a thing
>(Lord help me), and so let it be. If Sam feels that he can run a list
>better than Bill, or even I, then he is certainly free to start his own and
>see who signs up. Much like I am doing now.

As I'm partners with 2 others to start an ISP I was considering this as
well, and was willing to offer any services/help to Sir Wirehead if he so
needed, I make this offer to you as well...

If you need any off-site backup / mirroring / etc. services that can be
performed without swallowing an entire T-1 (10% bandwidth to start would
not be a problem, I believe), I will help you if you request it. Anything
else you can think of, just ask. I will certainly consider anything,
provided it takes not more than 7-10 hours / week of my time (preferably
less -- this venture is a bit time constraining...)

> It's there. If no one subscribes and this list continues to flurish, so
>be it. If, on the other hand, my list takes off and this one dies, so be
>it. Currently, the only person subscribed is me. I'm not going to add
>people, it's up to you.

For the moment, I'll see if this list straightens out. However, if Sam has
his way.... lemme say that I've been burned by loyalty too many times, and
have a pretty good feeling as to when to bolt...

Oh, on the offer: If your list flourishes and then you decide to end it, I
am already offering to move the list to my servers if that need arises... I
got into the "list business" (3 under my belt -- 2 dealing with classic
machines) by taking over a list in dire straits... (yea, one is just a bit
rocky right now, but not being a sysadmin has its disadvantages... :-(
That will be rectified in 2-3 weeks, permanently.)

This is "Merch", signing off on this subject.
--
Roger Merchberger       | If at first you don't succeed,
Owner, MerchWare        | nuclear warhead disarmament should
zmerch_at_northernway.net  | *not* be your first career choice.
Received on Wed Mar 18 1998 - 23:38:50 GMT

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