Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:41:38 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon List Moderator-let's get things underway!
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re
using the list as our personal help desk abuses the membership (which is
here for vanagons, and not the rest of our problems) and will put-off some
valuable contributors.
I strongly disagree. I contribute all the time.......and I don't care if
people ask about how to fix their printer, or their toilet at home, or their
relationship.......I only comment on the ones where I think I can do some
good. And those who want to comment on the other posts........fine, no
problem.
But please..............try not to force cold hard rules and policies about
it 'must be vangon content, and only vanagon content'.......
leave a little leeway...........the Friday thing is fine.
you know, participate in what you like, ignore the rest. For example, I
don't care about vanagon.com bumper stickers, t-shirts or any of that, but I
will fight for the right of those who are interested in that to be able to
talk about it onlist.
Part of the US constitution you know........I might not like what you say,
but I will fight for your right to say it..
it's a basic principle of our culture ......let's honor it
please...........within reason, just like 'freedom of speach' has limits
for what is reasonable.
let's be reasonable.
re
"most people on this
> list didn't sign up to answer our questions about topics that aren't
> related
> to vanagons. "
Right...........like people are FORCED to address every last oddball
gerryvanagon list question.
This is the part that really is silly............like there is SOME
OBLIGATION upon those who get these notes in their inbox.....
some vanagon guy wants information on how to fix his
.........whatever...........toilet in his house.........and therefore each
member is Obligated to address his quieston. Give me a break. That's just
plain SILLY.
and............some people may not understand this ...........
but, * for many, the vanagon community/family is one of their main
resources and general 'connection' with a world of peers that they are
comforatable with.....
and it is natural that they ask about say, a computer problem , to their
vanaogn brothers and sisters.* That concept should not be too hard to
grasp.
To not recognize that fact, is to not recognize that is it much more than a
'cold hard tech advice place' for many vanagon owners.
I'm I reaching anyone here ????
The whole thing seems pretty clear to me,
and the main thing is ............if it doesn't interst you .......ignore
it. Duh !! That should not be too hard, hmmm ?
Besides, there is going to be spam and fluff 'forever' it appears. If we get
uptight about the garbage comanies send us in the mail.......we're in big,
big trouble.
the only sane thing to do is just ignore what doesn't interest you......
and let some people have their friendly access to ........gasp ! sometimes
stuff that is not purely vanagon .
And let us value and honor people's desire and need for Self-Expression.
Some of the junk I see on here I think is terrible............but it is
still important to allow each person self-expression that is important to
them, within reason, of course.
thank you.
----- Original Message -----
From: "pickle vanagon" <greenvanagon@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 7:31 AM
Subject: Re: Vanagon List Moderator-let's get things underway!
>> Some things need cleaning up, but mostly I would like to see the [NVC]
>> become standard fair for off topic subjects. And to see Frydaye Follies
>> become a permanent part of the scene.
>
>
> Some people will leave if this is done. Already, when people first sign
> up,
> they are often overwhelmed by the volume of mail and back out. If half of
> that mail is not even about vanagons, it will be that much worse.
>
> [the list membership] is such a wealth of information it seems a waste not
>> to put it to use, even on [NVC] stuff at times. It sure has helped me in
>> other areas of life besides strictly Vanagon things. I would be more
>> than a bit lost not being able to communicate with such a great bunch of
>> folks about other things. In my view, there isn't another group out
>> there quite like this one.
>
> I think there are several problems here. First of all, most people on
> this
> list didn't sign up to answer our questions about topics that aren't
> related
> to vanagons. So it seems kind of unfair to abuse their place on this list
> by sending them things they really didn't ask for. Yes, there are some
> simple technological solutions to this like filtering, etc., but something
> like that is always going to require a bit more work or computer-know-how
> than some valuable contributor is willing to invest just to stay on the
> list.
>
> More importantly there are *plenty* of other lists out their just like
> this
> one. Why not go bother the volvo people with your unrelated posts ;-).
> But
> seriously, mailing lists are all over the place. And best of all, there
> are
> mailing lists that are actually *relevant* to peoples questions! Go to
> groups.google.com and do a search for what your interested in, and you'll
> find a group that's perfect to post in. Question about viruses or
> pop-ups?
> Post to Mikes Computer Problems/Solution tech support mailing list (
> http://groups.google.com/group/Mikes-Computer-ProblemsSolution-tech-support?lnk=srg).
> Question about basic electronics not in the context of vanagons? Try the
> basic electronics group: (
> http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.basics?lnk=). The vanagon
> list might seem like an amazing resource about everything, but its really
> just an amazing resource about vanagons, and a mediocre resource about
> everything else (especially in the context of the internet). What's
> worse,
> using the list as our personal help desk abuses the membership (which is
> here for vanagons, and not the rest of our problems) and will put-off some
> valuable contributors.
>
> -Wes
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