Partly on Posting limits Plus Plenty of Rambling

[nrenka]

--- In HPFGU-Feedback at yahoogroups.com, "M.Clifford" <Aisbelmon at h...> 
wrote:

> Valky replies:
>
> I notice that in your post you have mentioned that the tennis 
> debates are your pet peeve. Well, as a frequent debater myself I 
> would also like to add that a large number of my personal list 
> contacts were made through someone writing me personally to tell me 
> *they* were thoroughly enjoying reading the debate.
> All I am saying is that in the past HPFGU has endeavoured to 
> embrace everyone, and I credit a great deal of the HPFGU popularity 
> to that optimism and fair treatment.
> Should we know be telling these people that we once embraced into 
> our fold those feelings have changed and that they are no longer 
> welcome?

Let me throw out a distinction that may seem too fine, but I'm 
willing to make it (and, I admit, generally DO when I list-read):

Quality of content is subjective, to some extent.  Not everyone likes 
SHIP discussions, for example (and some have been vocal about that).  
Some people click through anything bringing up RL comparisons to 
canon.

What is not wholly subjective is the question of whether there is 
something *substantial* in a post.  Or whether there is something 
OT.  It's a little frustrating to go through and find multiple OT 
posts responding to the same topic, posted in quick succession.

This is a mailing list, and part of the essence of a mailing list is 
the interaction model--listies post, listies respond.  However, to 
keep it manageable and readable, we need to encourage maximum 
*substance* in each post.  Make two points in one post rather than 
two separate, so a responder is not tempted to ALSO send two posts.

The point of the list is not quite for the extremely rapid and short 
exchanges that we sometimes see.  Threads of exchanges, yes--but say 
something.  Me-toos are banned for good reason, and I myself would 
like to see a general rule about *no* one-line posts.  The three-a-
day posting limit is a way to get at this.

It also seems to have the benefit of making certain posting styles 
change--the "I don't read the list every day but when I do I post 15 
messages in a row", which can be frustrating when the person in 
question is with a backlog and doesn't read downthread.  Then you get 
messages with the "Did you not see that I already answered this 
question?", which are preferably avoided.  [I always get annoyed when 
this happens to me, I admit.]

More substance, less chatter--on-list.  Chatter is great on OTC.  
Chatter is fabulous off-list.  I do a lot of it.

Now, if we can only get the "You Shall Not Top-Post" through to 
everyone...

-Nora gets ready to go to class...