21 Aug
2001
21 Aug
'01
1:04 p.m.
On Tue, 21 Aug 2001, John Foust wrote:
I was speaking of threads that go on for weeks, with many messages a day.
If an off-topic thread consisting of four messages gets posted over the
course of a week, I don't think people will care a whole lot. If four
messages of an off-topic thread come in within minutes, that's the start
of a thread that should be shit-canned.
The list is full of self-appointed and voluble experts
on very obscure
topics. You're happy when they're comparing the length and girth and
texture of their big manly obsolete computer collection, but you're
surprised when they drift off-topic and wax expert on other topics?
No, but I am irked, as are many other folks, when they go on and on about
senseless shit that doesn't belong on this list, or any list for that
matter (i.e. R.D.'s political vomit).
I think the core of the problem is that, given
off-topic topic X, this
list tends to have a significant minority who cheerfully chime in
about their experience in that non-CCC field. There's always going to
be a fraction who are happy to go off-topic. Moderation will
eventually piss off the bulk of the list, particularly if they think
it's heavy-handed or inept. It's a thankless job.
Oh fucking well.
I say, if an
off-topic thread hits four messages, all subsequent messages
are shit-canned, and the offending party warned. That should allow enough
flexibility for people to let off some steam and then get back on topic.
I'm in front of my computer a lot. Like most of the day. I'll be happy
to take on the first shift of a TEMPORARY moderator. It's an unpopular
job, I know, but I've never been one to shy away from controversy.
How did we shift from "weeks" to four posts that might've taken
minutes to arrive? Pre-approving posts will lead to other accusations.
Offers for free
cool equipment are sometimes fulfilled in minutes here... and now the
moderators get first pick.
That's a highly bogus concern.
I've seen good moderators in my day. They had a
very light hand on
the reins. None of them succeeded in reforming the unwashed by
repeatedly screaming "ASSSSSSSSS!" even if the heathen deserved it.
You know what? You're an ASS too.
You have considered that the offenders intended to
drag a stick across
your cage just to see what happened, right?
I'm not that cynical. I'm sorry you are.
Oops, almost forgot...
:)
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org