On Sat, Mar 06, 2010 at 10:14:52AM -0500, jim wrote:
> All,
> 

> If only 10% of the effort used in these trivial discussions were used to
> answer actual questions posted regarding electronics, microcontrollers,
> and related subjects instead of this long winded, punch trading, not
> getting anyone anywhere bickering, this list would not only have returned
> to it's former helpful glory, it would have improved substantially.

That's a shortsighted view.

> 
> Why don't you all let this subject have a rest, and get on with the real
> reason this list was created in the first place.  That is to help the PIC
> user community with problems and questions that come up all the time.
> There is so much talent, experience, expertise, and humanity on this list
> that no question or problem that arises should be left unanswered.   I
> would wager the combined work experience on this list numbers into the
> hundreds or even thousands of years.  With that much experience and
> knowledge to pull from, why waste time on this moderation tack.  Just
> accept it as it is.  Watch your P's and Q's, and you won't be moderated.
> It truly is that simple.  There are rules.  Follow the rules.  No matter
> how much you think they are unfair or don't apply to you.  

The community has the right to question the rules, especially when they are
being unevenly applied.

The target of this undue onorous moderation is a valuable and longstanding
contributor to this forum. It's a shame that we have to waste bandwidth
discussing this issue. But the underlaying basis of the issue is faulty.
And so it will not be easily resolved.

> Over half of the emails I have received in the last week or so have been
> about the subject of moderation, and it's pros and cons.  And yet here we
> are a week later, and still in the same position.  Talk about spinning
> your wheels and wasting bandwidth.

Considering the side of the issue you are on, I'm sure you see it that way.

> 
> Let it go people.  Get on with answering the real questions, and helping
> users out there solve their design and software problems.  Let's get back
> to why this list has been so productive and popular in the many years
> since it's creation.  Answering users questions and providing answers and
> guidance to engineering and design problems that come up in the normal
> course of the R&D and design cycles of any project, whether it be for
> hire or for personal enjoyment or enlightenment.

The problem is that one of the most prolific and productive contirbutors to
this list is left out of the process. It's wrong and it needs to be
discussed.

I reiterate my suggestion for change:

1. All longstanding contributors (one year or more) are released from
moderation permanently.

2. New list members are subject are subject to moderation so they can
understand the culture of this list. 

Simple. Effective. 

Please consider it.

BAJ
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