Main List Problems

[bluetad2001]

I'm a relative newbie here but have been using yahoogroups and 
similar since they started up, and I am a list owner.  (Of a 
relatively small, closed list - that's as much as I can cope with!)

I've seen a lot of good lists fall into chaos and I'd hate to see 
that happen to HPFGU.  

FWIW I'd say a separate 'newbie' list wouldn't help.  I've seen 
something like this done and what happens is people don't get the 
chance to interact with more experienced people, don't get the 
feeling of a stable community, and don't get the feeling that they've 
joined a community that is welcoming and has high expectations of 
them to contribute appropriately right from the start.

So what IS the solution?  Moderation, moderation, moderation!

I know the moderators are volunteers and it must be overwhelming but 
its the only thing that works.  I'll admit I've been guilty - at 
least once recently - of dashing off a reply too quickly, not being 
careful enough to snip the previous comments, and I haven't even had 
a friendly warning, let alone a howler!

I know its a shame if people get frightened off posting but the 
problem is caused mostly by over-enthusiasm rather than anything else 
so just a bit of 'dampening' may be necessary.

I'd also be inclined to support the idea of more specific sub-groups 
or sister-lists but I know my interests are narrower than many 
peoples are, so that may not work for the majority.

At any rate its good to hear that people are trying to find a 
solution.  

Very many thanks to those who do the work!

Alison