[Nolug] Administritivia - guideline for list discussions

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Note: If you do not want to read any more about this subject, feel free to=
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skip this message. that's probably the most important guideline of all for=
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any reader of any discussion forum ;)

Here is a simple guideline regarding posting on this list. First of all,=20
think before you post. Are you really adding signal or noise to the list? =
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Second, if you were a brand new linux user and you were looking for some=20
advice/information, would your post do that? Think about a newcomer just=20
getting the thread of this weekend as their first several postings. Even =
if=20
it were all meant as light repartee, it _looked_ to a casual observer like=
=20
far more ire was involved. After all, what inspires more passion than=20
politics or religion? That's not pleasant, or welcoming. I'd like to thin=
k=20
the overall tenor of this list is pleasant and welcoming to all who=20
participate as well as lurk.

I have been among the first to defend the members of this list running off =
on=20
tangents and having a little fun. I can't define for you when a thread has=
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gotten out of hand, but I know it when I see it. ;) I use the above=20
"newcomer test" as one of my primary guidelines. While long time listers=20
expect noise and that is perfectly normal in the life of any healthy=20
discussion list, others many not have that same understanding. It's=20
sometimes a delicate balance. =20

Just remember that this is, after all, a Linux user's group. It's pretty=20
simple, really. And yes, for many of us, the mere act of using Linux may=20
have political and ethical implications. Fine. That is well worth=20
discussing of course. But do keep it peaceful. Even in this microcosm,=20
there is a wide diversity of opinions.=20

And no. I am not accusing anyone of anything specific. But apparently a=20
statement needs to be made. So this is my official statement as one founde=
r=20
of NOLUG and manager of the DNS and website for nolug.org. That's about as=
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official as any of us are willing to get.

p.s. please do NOT respond to this message on list. I have deliberately se=
t=20
my reply-to to my personal email address. (though the list software may=20
strip that) I'm really begging you folks here on this. If you REALLY want=
 a=20
place to discuss list administritivia, I'll post a story on the website and=
 a=20
corresponding poll and it can all be discussed there.=20

=2D-=20
Scott Harney <scotth@scottharney.com>
"...and one script to rule them all."
gpg key fingerprint=3D7125 0BD3 8EC4 08D7 321D CEE9 F024 7DA6 0BC7 94E5

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Received on 06/09/03