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

[Pat]

--- In HPFGU-Feedback at yahoogroups.com, "davewitley" 
<dfrankiswork at n...> wrote:
> I just wanted to raise a point about the use of the OTC list, 
[snipping]

> 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.
> 
[snipping some more]

> 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

Pat here--definitely a newbie:

Well, not new to discussing Harry Potter, but new here.  I recently 
joined and took some time to read some posts before jumping in.  My 
whole point in joing HP4GU is to discuss the books that I love and 
have read and re-read so many times I've lost count.  So, whether 
the main list is too intimidating or not, I think, has a lot to do 
with how much a person has already discussed, perhaps in other 
groups.

I think you make a good point that people who have been here longer 
need to make the extra effort to be welcoming and friendly.  But so 
far, I haven't found that to be a problem.  I'm here to exchange 
ideas and view points, so I'm not easily offended if someone 
disagrees with me--so far, at least, everyone has been polite, and 
that's what really counts in a discussion; if there's a disagreement 
it needs to be with the idea, not made into a personal attack.  
That's something that I particularly like here--people seem to focus 
on the topic, without making it a personal issue.

Pat