5 Jun
2010
5 Jun
'10
8 a.m.
I am impressed. This thread has managed to go on and on without any
classic computer related information. And it has also gone through a
number of topic changes in the process.
I think this one sets a new (unfortunate) record for OT discussions :(.
5 Jun
5 Jun
8:29 a.m.
On 6/5/10 11:00 AM, Marvin Johnston wrote:
I am impressed. This thread has managed to go on and
on without any
classic computer related information. And it has also gone through a
number of topic changes in the process.
I think this one sets a new (unfortunate) record for OT discussions :(.
Good thing it's on the "op-topic and off-topic posts" list then, huh?
I've just been exercising the "delete" key a bit more quickly than
usual, works great.
-Dave
--
Dave McGuire
Port Charlotte, FL
9:59 a.m.
Dave McGuire wrote:
On 6/5/10 11:00 AM, Marvin Johnston wrote:
End even within the "on-topic and off-topic posts list" there is reasonable and
unreasonable use of off-topic bandwidth. Some self-restraint and judgement is
warranted and expected.
I don't mind little off-topic wanderings, they can be interesting and on
occasion I might even contribute to them, but when an off-topic thread or
someone's off-topic contributions exceed the on-topic content by a significant
multiple and have little likelihood of being of even tangential interest to the
list membership, it is excessive.
If it's a free-for-all and anything is permitted then there is no point in
calling it the classic computing list.
Ray Arachelian wrote:
I am impressed. This thread has managed to go on
and on without any
classic computer related information. And it has also gone through a
number of topic changes in the process.
I think this one sets a new (unfortunate) record for OT discussions :(.
Good thing it's on the "op-topic and off-topic posts" list then, huh?
I've just been exercising the "delete" key a bit more quickly than
usual, works great.
The pre-made apple sauce from
Costco is full of HFCS, though it's cheaper and far less work than
making it yourself, I'm not about to feed the kids HFCS, which is known
<gross amounts of more off-topic blather deleted>
What this has to do with old computers, I'll never
know. :)
Now try acting upon your own observation.
9:23 a.m.
On 6/5/2010 10:00 AM, Marvin Johnston wrote:
I am impressed. This thread has managed to go on and on without any
classic computer related information. And it has also gone through a
number of topic changes in the process.
I think this one sets a new (unfortunate) record for OT discussions :(.
When a thread about a topic goes too long, on-topic or otherwise, I just
search for (topic heading), tag all the matches, and hit delete. This
is made easier by using a threaded email program (thunderbird).
One particular thread last year that I had no interest in reading was
over 1000 messages by the time it was done. I calculated the total
bandwidth it took to transmit to me, and it was roughly 700KB a day.
One 3.5" DSDD floppy disk's worth of data in a day might have bothered
me in 1990 when it took a 9600 baud modem 11 minutes to transfer, but in
2010 it takes roughly a second.
So, my perception of off-topic threads has shifted radically in recent
years; since it doesn't cost anyone significant time or money any more,
I view them as a good thing. There's a lot of useful "oral" history out
there in off-topic threads.
--
Jim Leonard (trixter at oldskool.org) http://www.oldskool.org/
Help our electronic games project: http://www.mobygames.com/
Or check out some trippy MindCandy at http://www.mindcandydvd.com/
A child borne of the home computer wars: http://trixter.wordpress.com/
1:42 p.m.
On Sat, 5 Jun 2010, Marvin Johnston wrote:
I am impressed. This thread has managed to go on and
on without any
classic computer related information. And it has also gone through a
number of topic changes in the process.
I think this one sets a new (unfortunate) record for OT discussions :(.
But there is recurring content that is tangentialoly related to topic,
such as the "rough service" bulb solution to the unavailability of real
bulbs,
5318
days inactive
5318
days old
4 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
-
cisin＠xenosoft.com -
hilpert＠cs.ubc.ca -
marvin＠west.net -
mcguire＠neurotica.com -
trixter＠oldskool.org