> However, what irks me is when these kinds of threads are deliberately
> started.  The one from Russel this morning is a case in point.  Hopefully
> people won't take the bait and start another lengthy pointless discussion.
> But alas, I expect that the troll will be well fed once again.

I guess I haven't "participated" in the online community as much as many
of the others here (over the years, at least), but I feel as though very
little "trolling" occurs here.  I rarely see truly uncivil discussion.

> What's the answer?  Well I guess the current answer is "Too bad, that's OT".
> Is everyone comfortable with that?  I think there are better solutions.  I
> suggest the following:

> 1 - Broaden the definition of the [EE] topic to include the greater embedded
> systems the PIC is in and their technology.  I think most people who are
> interested in PICs and the circuits surrounding them would also be
> interested in the systems and technology surrounding the circuits.
> 
> 2 - Failing #1, create a new topic [EMB] or [TECH] for discussion of what #1
> would have added to [EE].

I like this idea.  For example, the walking logging tractor from a few days
ago would go well in a [TECH] label.

> 3 - Absolutely positively not allow discussion of religion, or politics that
> has nothing to do with PICs, embedded systems, or their technology.
> Political advocacy is strictly prohibited in any case.  This goes for
> signature lines or any other part of a message, since those have been shown
> to start such discussions.

Right now, James and the other admins do a fairly good job of stomping
out any smoldering embers in those long running, "and-another-thing"
type "discussions".  I'd also like to say that I appreciate many of
the discussions of the sort that spawned the post I'm now responding
to.  I feel like they expose me to things happening in the "outside
world" that I otherwise would have missed.  And frankly, one of the
things I get here that I wouldn't elsewhere is the input of people who
have a similar mental map to mine (engineers), and who, on the whole,
seem to be damn decent people.

To put it another way, what do *you* talk about with your friends?  If
you never discuss anything but engineering, that's fine, but some of
us like to discuss other things with our friends.

> I'm sorry this post adds to the noise, but at least it is about the list and
> it is about trying to resolve something that is within the capability of the
> people here to resolve.

I get the feeling a LOT more noise will be soon forthcoming...

Mike H.

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