IMPORTANT: Admin reply to (Re: List suggestion)

[Richard Bullington <rbulling@obscure.org>]

On Fri, 22 Mar 1996, Seth D. Palmer wrote:

> Recently, there was an obnoxiously long message posted to this list. 
> Several people have responded to it and have included the original in 
> their response. The criticisms of this are well deserved, but are 
> completely inappropriate material for this list. May I suggest that 
> criticisms of this nature be directed to the original person or 
> respondant who sent the offending matter and not to the list in its 
> entirety. It's difficult enough keeping up with the threads as it is.

I would like to reinforce Mr. Palmer's words here. I hate seeing this 
mailing list thrashing over garbage like the 'Good Luck Totem' chain 
letter.

> As such, I would like to suggest that perhaps the list should be 
> moderated in some way. The growing number of messages has become nearly 
> overwhelming. 

Well, neither I nor Faisal has the time (or energy) to actively moderate 
this list. If anyone would like to step up to the plate, majordomo lists 
can be remotely moderated. You must have dedication to doing this every 
day. You will need to unsubscribe dozens of people a day 
who have mail bouncing. On a moderated list, you also have to 
individually approve all messages that meet your standards for the list.

> I know this would be a difficult task and would gladly 
> assist when and if I can. The digest format is not entirely a bad idea if 
> the messages could be threaded by topic and the flames and irrelevant 
> minutia removed which is not topical to this list. 

Moderating the list is the only efficient way to prune irrelevant 
messages from the list. I don't think anyone really wants to be the 
one to moderate this list.

> Alas, please don't 
> scream CENSORSHIP about this; I just feel this is getting out of control 
> and am ready to unsubscribe but would prefer to be constructive.

The list is way out of control. It is getting so out of control, that it 
is eating my Internet feed and machine alive. I will follow up with a 
message explaining what drastic steps I am about to take, and why.

(The fur and feathers will fly here in a second...)

Richard Bullington
Big Cheese of The Obscure Organization (wearing his JavaScript admin hat)
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