[ILUG] The ILUG Content Police

[Feargal Reilly]

On Fri, 14 May 2004 09:35:45 +0100
Dermot Daly <dermot.daly at itsmobile.com> wrote:

> Hi All,
> Some food for thought:
> 
> How can it be that if someone posts a message which one considers
> relevant, but cannot help, one happily ignores it, but if someone dares
> to post a message which is considered off topic, all of a sudden
> everyone has an opinion on it, and bothers to respond.  Why can't off
> topic mails be afforded the same courtesy of being ignored?
> 
> It seems lately that more of the traffic on the list is about traffic on
> the list (this one included, I know), rather than about the list.  Which
> is less on topic ? - Someone looking for a technical help, or people
> talking about whether their post is appropriate?
> 
> To put this in context: I posted a ON TOPIC question regarding printing
> under Liunx yesterday to which I received 2 replies (thanks Brian and
> Kevin; my problem is somewhat sorted), whereas the MSExchange thread
> went to over 20 responses.
> 
> It reminds me somehow of that article about how it is easier to get your
> management to agree to a $1bn power plant, than a garden shed;  Nobody
> understands power plants, so they trust what they are told.  Everyone
> understands garden sheds, so they stick their oar in.
> 
> There has been many discussions in the past about making the list
> membership only, and the accepted wisdom is that this would discourage
> outsiders from using the list; I cannot think of anything more
> discouraging than being ridiculed when you attempt to use it.
> (Personally for example, I have had to think long and hard about this
> post for this very reason).
> 
> Can the content police (you know who you are), just ignore mails that
> they consider off topic rather than complaining about them? 
> 
> Cheers,
> Dermot.
> 

While I hate to spend time on this topic, I will refer readers to RFC 1855 (http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1855.txt):

'Be conservative in what you send and liberal in what you receive. You should not send heated messages (we call these "flames")  even if you are provoked. On the other hand, you shouldn't be surprised if you get flamed and it's prudent not to respond to flames'.

'Wait overnight to send emotional responses to messages. If you have really strong feelings about a subject, indicate it via FLAME ON/OFF enclosures.'

Finally, from the linux.ie website, "The primary means of communications for the Irish Linux Community is via email." 
Unless there are rules governing who is allowed to join this community,  you must accept the diversity created by a large community; you should embrace it.

Other people will send posts you would not have. Equally you will send posts others would not have. We're made richer by it.

-fr.

--
Feargal Reilly,
http://www.helgrim.com/

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