On Sat, 23 Sep 2006, John Underhill wrote:
-Moderated Approach Create an nanogofftopic@ to give a vent to members. If a post is clearly offtopic and not announced as such, use a 'three strikes your out' approach, first warning and inviting review of list guidelines, then as a last measure cancelling list subscription. Include 'this is offtopic!' responders among offences, and maybe we can reduce some of the list noise.
Hi John, thanks for the wise words. I believe our biggest problem is that "on topic" is not defined. Many here see different issues as operational to them while a few here always yell and scream the minute someone posts that interest. An off-topic list won't help much, if we can't decide, by poll or arbitrary choice, what actually is on-topic. That can later on be followed. Lists evolve, readerships change, and subjects of interest change. But without certain guidelines, I don't see why any crowd should be silenced or any minority with loud voices should silence them. If such a concensus/decision is reached, it will be followed to the letter with the full backing of whoever needs to back itup. Thanks, Gadi.
John