LIST ADMIN WARNING Re: Too much off topic

From: James B. DiGriz <jbdigriz_at_dragonsweb.org>
Date: Thu May 9 14:05:14 2002

Jay West wrote:
> The only way to totally solve the off-topic posts and flaming is to moderate
> the list.
>
> The idea of moderating the list was overwhelmingly rejected by listmembers
> during the last big discussion about this. I took that to mean that people
> preferred to police themselves (and eachother). However, if the current
> trend of off-topicness continues, I WILL put the list into moderated mode.
> The large number of people who expect posts to the list to show up in a
> timely fashion will just have to blame themselves or their peers for not
> acting like adults. Some people complain that it takes 20 minutes or so
> before a post goes to the rest of the list. Well, if it's in moderated mode,
> I will check and approve posts probably two or three times a day - so you
> can kiss the 20 minute timeframe goodbye if it comes to that. Even if I set
> up several additional people to approve posts, you can be sure the lag will
> on average be significantly greater than it is currently.
>
> Stop the off-topic discussions, and stop them *NOW*. This includes
> discussion of modern operating systems, politics, personal flames, blatent
> OS advocacy, etc. If you feel the need to put [OT] in the subject, think
> real hard before posting. Your post may be the one that throws the list into
> moderated mode.
>
> *** Please do NOT reply to this message on the list. *** This is not a
> request for comments or discussion; it's not up for debate - it's just how
> it is. Gee, can you tell I'VE HAD IT?
>
> Regards,
>
> Jay West
>
>
>
>
>

Jesus, Jay, if that's the bottom line, just go ahead and do it, because
otherwise people are just going to keep pushing or reacting until you
do. Just human nature. At least as demonstrated here. We will all deal
with it in our various ways. I suggest if you do this to gate it to a
moderated newsgroup. You may need the traffic. Hopefully not.

You may find it easier though, just to let what is, be, as it has been,
and just not worry about it. It's entirely possible things would tone
down rapidly if you do that. People who don't like it will go do
something else. You've mentioned to me privately that others might be
interested in running a list themselves. Let them go do that instead of
making you jump through hoops.

If, of course, you do it because *you* think it's best, that's another
matter. You're in the best position to know. You have my support
whatever you do. Nevetheless, I won't be threatened into policing my
speech for anybody. Not even for good reasons. No offense.

Thanks and keep up the good work,
jbdigriz
Received on Thu May 09 2002 - 14:05:14 BST