Wow, the PICLIST has a new moderator! Long time coming... I wonder how much that job pays? Seriously, try filtering out posts with [OT] in the subject. Most posters do seem to be kind enough to put that "flag" in the subject of messages that they post (I notice that you didn't... ). The people who do have the ability to control this list (not you or me - Mark Willis or Jory Bell) like it the way it is (or appear to) so all you get for your plea is an [OT] response like mine that increase the noise level.... James Newton, webmaster http://get.to/techref (hint: you can add your own private info to the techref) mailto:jamesnewton@geocities.com 1-619-652-0593 phone -----Original Message----- From: pic microcontroller discussion list [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Randy Brumbaugh Sent: Friday, September 24, 1999 9:41 AM To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Subject: A plea for focus. . . I just discovered and joined this list and am amazed at the terribly low signal-to-noise ratio. Could we keep the discussion to PIC topics please? I had over 50 messages in my inbox this morning, and a prolific PIC discussion would be very welcome. But most were discussing magnetic fields, perpetual motion machines, urban legends, house wiring practice US vs. UK -- so now I delete most of the messages without reading. The folks on USEnet figured this out a while ago -- if it isn't relevant, don't read it, and PLEASE don't respond. And if you MUST respond (perhaps your ego tells you that your insight is especially keen and unique, which it is not), do it in personal email, not to the list. So please: 1. Only send to the list things related to PIC processors, support tools and projects. Ignore anything not related. 2. Try to be concise -- remember people have to read it, and most of us are busy. Put something descriptive on the subject line. If you are sending a follow-up in a thread, include the original subject so people can easily see if it is a thread of interest. 3. Thanks for all those who have sent relevant and useful PIC info -- it makes the list worth reading.