Mark, please don't change things... If you try and `compartmentalize' topics or implement "Quatloo"s, this list will, like the tomatoes in my garden this time of year, `die on the vine'... Hell Mark, we are both experienced Sysops and Moderators. Think about the `Sysop days' when we `begged' for new users and new ideas. This can only happen in a free and open environment. Of course you have to be vigilant when it comes to personal, racial, or ethnic, attacks. You also have to make a judgment-call on what is appropriate for this BBS/Forum/List. This is always the tough part... Put the `burden' of filtering messages on the members of this list. It's `absolutely trivial' to `sort and ignore' message subjects... What one person considers "[OT]" another may find helpful. And for folks who want Jory and Mark to manage topics, consider their workload and consider the fact that they don't get payed for this... - Tom At 04:34 PM 10/12/99 -0700, Mark Willis wrote: >I've had worse picking done to me before. > >We'll see on the folks who left; As things change here, other people >will come visit, maybe some previous good people will be back. > >Self-control would be good, but some here seem to (sometimes) have a >problem with it; We (Admins & some others)'re talking about the >situation, seeing what to do. I still like my "Quatloo" idea, where if >people like your post, they credit you with some of their Quatloos, and >if they don't like it, they fine you, sadly, though, the server software >doesn't have this "unique" feature implemented. Drat! > >I think Jory's pretty busy (I know I am, this move's a bear!), so I'm >thinking about automated solutions, also. > > Mark > >Tom Handley wrote: >> >> Oh `gawd' I wanted to stay out of this but I can no longer resist, so >> I'll pick on Mark ;-) >> >> I'll admit that I'm surprised at the number of long-time members of this >> list that have recently left. I hope this is temporary or maybe they are >> moving on to other interests. >> >> Most of us have mail readers that allow you to sort by subject. When you >> see a subject you are not interested in, ignore it... I don't use "[OT]" >> filters because there are some very good discussions in those topics. I >> think folks are too sensitive to "[OT]". When you are working with embedded >> controllers, subjects ranging from blinking a LED to a rectal thermometer >> for use with cattle, are all very much; `On-Topic'... >> >> I don't think that "[OT]", or any variant, will do any good. Though we >> come from different countries and speak different languages, there is one >> thing we all have in common; We are human beings. Topics will `wander'... >> >> Let me ask you folks; When you are at work, do you always talk about your >> design or do you talk about other subjects on occasion? Hey, that's "[OT]"! >> I'm reminded of four of us in a `cube', leaning over a VT100, waiting on a >> C compiler, talking about scuba diving, fishing, flying, and the time I got >> stuck in the elevator with Paula who worked upstairs in finance ;-) >> >> Finally, consider this; When you ask a question here, think about your >> audience... Your question is being read by folks from around the planet, >> with a `wealth' of expertise. Though there are many familiar names here, >> many new names show up when a question applies to their area of expertise. >> >> I think it's time to stop complaining about "[OT]" and remember what an >> asset this list really is... >> >> - Tom >> >> At 09:37 AM 10/11/99 -0700, Mark Willis wrote: >> >My perception of what people are unhappy about, is [OT] posts that >> >aren't about TECHNICAL issues, but wander into Sports, pet preferences, >> >religion, politics, history, Car brand preferences, etc. etc.... >> > >> >The thought I came up with is that we might split the current OT >> >category, into 2 pieces, plus have a PIC related topic; >> > >> >If we implement the Subcategories for the PICList in the L-Soft list >> >engine, and give it these 3 categories, it might help some people: >> > >> >[PICs] For PIC-related posts >> >[Tech] For technical, non-PIC-related posts >> >[Fluff] For everything else. (From the point of view of someone who >> >doesn't want to HEAR politics/religion, that sort of thing's Fluff - I >> >figure this category will remind people of that.) >> > >> >Posts with the subcategory thing turned on would be ignored if they >> >didn't have a proper subcategory, of course. The L-Soft engine wouldn't >> >pass improperly formed posts to the list. >> > >> >(Add to that, drawing and quartering anyone who posts political or >> >religious stuff in a post that isn't marked just strictly [Fluff], and >> >some'll be happier - Boy, what it takes to please SOME people! ) >> >> > Mark (Need to get to the Survey today, got the stove so I'll have heat >> >here later this week, it's cold in here just now! >> >> Geesh Mark, did you move into a tent out on the peninsula? ;-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tom Handley New Age Communications Since '75 before "New Age" and no one around here is waiting for UFOs ;-)