Richard Seriani, Sr wrote:
>> Charles, I paused for a minute before submitting the post, and considered
>> whether to send it to OT or EE. However, I really needed an expert
>> response
>> to an engineering question -- therefore, I felt that EE was appropriate.
>>
>
> Now that's funny!
> An EXPERT response to a marine, motosport, or mechanical engineering
> question on the PIClist??
> By the very nature of this list, it isn't likely too many of those folks
> hang out here.

Richard, are you subscribed to OT? If so, please move the discussion on what 
is appropriate or not there (I'm replying in EE because I want to make sure 
you get the reply). If not, please reply offlist.

The topic has been beaten to death: PICList is no longer just about PICs. In 
fact, the number of PIC-related posts represents a fraction of overall list 
traffic. If you want pure PIC traffic, then the Microchip forum is more 
appropriate for you.

To me, the greatest thing about this List is its high concentration of very 
intelligent people with expertise in a dazzling variety of topics. I don't 
want the PICList to be just about PICs.

Prior to posting here, I went on Jet Ski forums, and quite frankly was very 
disappointed by the quality of responses. You may think it's funny, but the 
responses I received were indeed very useful. As I expected, there are many 
people here with experience working with engines, who provided valuable 
insight and potentially saved me a lot of $$$.

Per Russell's suggestion, I will post similar message in the [TECH] category 
from now on. However, for the record, I still think the post was borderline 
appropriate, as it was an ENGINEering question about ENGINEs. It definitely 
increased my understanding of engines, and no doubt others may find it 
useful (now or in the future, while Googling Nabble).


Just to be more clear on what is and isn't appropriate for EE, can Bob 
Blick, Apptech, et all explain which part of the post was not suitable for 
EE?

Would a question about the general operation of internal combustion engines 
be appropriate? How about a question about the general operation of a 
vehicle (auto, plane, watercraft)?

Also, why is a question about reparing a CRT or a DVD appropriate, if a 
question about the reasons a watercraft engine failed, isn't? If the reason 
is that EE stands for "Electrical Engineering" (and not "Everything 
Engineering"), what about a post about fuel economy?

Vitaliy

P.S. FWIW, I think way too much time is being spent drawing the line in the 
sand. There are posts which are clearly inappropriate, but many are 
borderline, and IMHO the attitude toward those should be "don't like, don't 
read". I don't understand why people prefer to wage debates, when deleting 
the post without reading is so much quicker.

P.P.S. The two people who complained about inappropriate posting in the 
"water in the engine" thread should consider trimming their replies, and 
avoiding top posting.


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