Use of the OT-Chatter list (was OTC 'Newbie' thread)

[davewitley]

I just wanted to raise a point about the use of the OTC list, based 
mainly on the 'Newbie' thread there, particularly messages 23860 and 
23868.  

In message 23844 a newbie called Luna introduced herself and, as part 
of her post, asked if we all have theories about Aunt Petunia. 
Personally, I thought that was fine.

Rita, however, suggested in 23860 that OTC is for discussion 'not 
about canon', implying that canon questions and points ought not to 
be raised on that list.  My own view is that we have always been 
happy to allow canon related discussion there, and that we have 
managed perfectly well doing so.  (The HBfile is not really 
conclusive about this either way.)

Conversely, Dina suggested in 23868 that OTC is a friendlier place 
for newbies to start out with posting ideas about which they don't 
feel confident, 'to ease themselves into this community', before 
plunging into the main list.

While I am all in favour of anything that generally builds the 
confidence of new members, I worry that this advice will become self-
defeating.  I don't think it's a good idea to advise newcomers 
generally to start out on OTC before graduating to the main list: I 
think that does both lists a big disservice.

The main list *is* where we discuss our theories about and reactions 
to the books (and any revelations on the jkrowling website).  There 
is no need for anyone to feel that their ideas are too half-baked, or 
not sufficiently polished, for the main list.  It is for *any* canon-
related discussion, however trivial, not just for those posts that 
are candidates for 'Fantastic Posts' category.  Furthermore, we 
already have the moderated post system in place there, for the 
precise purpose of easing new members into the community.

My concern is that OTC will end up suffering from exactly the same 
problems that people go there from the main list to escape, as more 
and more people post there, because they feel they will get a more 
sympathetic audience, or because list volume is lower there, or 
whatever.

In particular, I think it is bad netiquette, and unacceptable, for 
people to re-post on OTC what they have already posted on the main 
list, because they failed to get a response the first time round.

I feel that it is the responsibility of all us oldbies to make new 
people feel welcome on *all* our lists, not to shuttle them back and 
forth from one to another because they are considered too canon-based 
for one and too uncouth for the other.

David