List Nazis...

Lawrence Weeks dev@anabasis.net
Mon, 14 Jul 2003 21:17:00 -0500


Once upon a time (Mon Jul 14), George Roffe wrote:

> I have had some conversations with Peter regarding my message
> yesterday and feel I should explain a bit further. I think Peter
> understands what my message was all about now, but I think everyone
> else should.

> My message was not an attempt to be heavy handed with the list.
> [ ... ] Larry has come down harsh on people using terms like "list
> nazis" and "list nazi filters" in the past. [ ... ]

I actually sent Peter a private message myself, but it was "Come on,
admit it, you love the filters! Imagine the list without them..."

Yes, I have come down hard on people in the past, for messages
either bitching about the filters, or attempts to circumvent the
filters. Those filters are part and parcel of this list, they define
some of the (intended) character, namely high signal-to-noise, easily
readable traffic. They might make things a pain for some people some
times, but there is no way in hell I would ever operate a high-volume
mailing list that permitted excessive quoting and other crap. Those
filters are one of the things that permit this list to exist here.

Also, messages which violate another core tenet are inappropriate:
"do not discuss (bitch about) the list on the list." It isn't a
democracy, there won't be a vote, you need to direct any issues to
the list owner/moderators.

And, about the list, I will say that I am pleased with the way it
is turning out since partial moderation. I check up on it every few
days. Good content and signal/noise. I was ready to pull the plug
primarily due to lack of use. A list with (as of now) 773 members
but with barely any traffic simply shouldn't be around.

Larry
--
Lawrence Weeks                                    lweeks@anabasis.net
Anabasis Consulting Ltd