Re: OT: List etiquette question.
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: OT: List etiquette question.
- From: S* M* <7*@compuserve.com>
- Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 09:14:10 -0700 (MST)
Tom Tadfor Little wrote:
> However, as strictly unofficial advice, it's always wise to consider
> whether using the list for a non-iris discussion might be self-indulgen=
t.
> Take a look at the volume of off-topic mail, the reactions of fellow
> listers, the number of people participating in the off-topic thread, an=
d
> then follow your own judgment about whether the topic should be moved o=
ff
> list.
As one of the old-timers, I'd like to add
that it's not any specific OT message
that is cause for concern. It's the ratio
of chat to substance. =
I'd rather see the OT nonsense that breaks
out on this list from time to time than the
flame wars I've seen elsewhere. But I'd
also like to see it held down to a more
reasonable level. =
I think of the many experts who've sampled
the list and left because of the sheer volume
of mail and limited time to separate the
wheat from the chaff. Fun is fun, but does
entail the risk that when a serious question
arises those with the answer will be gone.
Case in point: the founding of AIS. Larry or
Clarence could probably have given us the
whole story. All I recall is that it was organized,
the list of Charter Members was compiled and
the first Bulletin published in 1920 -- but there
was some debate as to when to celebrate its
50th anniversary because some official action
[perhaps formal adoption of Bylaws?] did not
take place until 1921.
Winter can be non-bloom-season boredom,
or a good time to hit the books. Even a good
time to post IRIS-related questions to the list =
and get some substantive answers.
Sharon McAllister
73372.1745@compuserve.com
