[ale] New Mailing List initiatives for ALE

[Dan Lambert]

Ladies and Gentlemen, and I use those terms of endearment advisedly.

I have to echo many of the opinions stated herein by Mr. Kinney. I don't 
want to have anyone deciding what is fit for me to read, nor what topics 
I should be able to discuss.

I'm as guilty as anyone else regarding OT posting, but let's be 
realistic. there is a lot of banter on her by many who would consider 
themselves the foundation of this list. Not all of it comes anywhere 
near the central issues that bind this group together.

I have recently left two lists that were originally open moderation type 
lists, and both of which went to a full moderation status because of off 
topic posts. When that change occurred, the whole dynamic of the list 
changed, and they essentially died. The only ones left were those who 
considered themselves to be the gurus of the list. The off topic posts 
weren't a problem, other than the fact that they disagreed with the 
moderator's opinions.

What this list represents is community. Wider than just Linux, and wider 
than just professional association. Many on this list have friends that 
were made, and conversed with, on this list. It also represents the 
best, and most open, forum for a new Linux user to come to for 
encouragement and knowledge.

One of the lists above referred to, is a technical list, similar in 
scope, but on a different topic than this list. When the list went to 
full moderation, new users ceased to post questions for fear of crossing 
the boundaries of impropriety. The moderator instituted a rule that each 
member had to post once per month to insure participation. What happened 
was that the vast majority of new members quit the list after their 
first month because they weren't comfortable in that environment. 95%+ 
of them were gone by their second month.

If that's how anyone thinks this list should be run, go ahead. I'll go 
ahead and find a friendly list where I can be a member of the community. 
I won't let the door hit me on the way out.

Dan

James P. Kinney III wrote:
> On Wed, 2006-09-27 at 08:36 -0400, Geoffrey wrote:
> 
>>James Sumners wrote:
>>
>>>I think moderation as you are proposing is absolutely the worst way to
>>>go. Greg already pointed out the biggest problems with that idea.
> 
> As far as any degree of moderation goes, I don't think that any one of
> us is qualified to decide what _I_ get to read or not read other than
> me.
> 
> I like the proposed additional lists. Specifically a list dedicated to
> tech stuff would be nice. But at the same time, why bother? Someone will
> goof and post a smarta$$ remark to the wrong list and feathers will get
> ruffled. At this point I think that there is NO solution that is
> adequate short of personal responsibility being ingrained into each
> author. 
> 
> I don't want to see _any_ of this change. The tech notes, the blather,
> the jokes, the tips, the _community_ (warts and all). I would personally
> rather move from my house than have a neighbor or group of neighbors
> suddenly decide that they get to make the choice about who gets to
> associate with who and in what manner. T
> 
> They won't see my name crossing the "request approval to join" list.
> 
> I will not be subscribing to that list.
> 
> I'm at home here.
> 
> (fingertips bruised from key pounding...need more coffee...)