NOTICE FROM THE LIST HOST -- a vote in favor of limited moderation

From: John Foust <jfoust_at_threedee.com>
Date: Thu Aug 23 13:42:40 2001

At 09:41 AM 8/23/01 -0700, you wrote:
>You just come off as a glib smartass at times, so tit for tat, eh? The
>list is the list. People act differently here. I just can't stand the
>displays of stupidity that sometimes make an appearance here, and
>occasionally feel compelled to point it out, but oh well. I don't hold
>that against anyone in the "real" world.

"Glib smartass" is about right. :-) I can be. But this
is the "real world" just as much as anywhere else.

>P.S. If, as an adult, you still think words are "dirty" then you still
>have maturing to do. Think about it. My opinion. Accept it as that and
>move on.

I didn't say anything about whether I thought certain words
were "dirty" or not. I don't remember calling for prohibitions
against foul language. Other list members did. Didn't you just
draw the line at ethnic slurs?

I do think that off-color language is rarely considered appropriate
in professional situations. I doubt anyone here would disagree
that we'd all like a list that could be described as "professional
yet casual, or civil."

Are list moderators professionals? In a sense, I think yes.
The best I've known become well-known in their industry or niche
both for their career's talents as well as their handling
of an online community. Like good managers in any professional
situation, they take extra care to handle the unpleasant
situations - probably off-line and with the minimal force necessary.

I've had the vague impression you were once successful at selling
phone systems or some such. I'd guess that you had to behave
professionally in those situations, and that you had to resist
the urge to scream "ASSSSSS!" now and then.

- John
Received on Thu Aug 23 2001 - 13:42:40 BST