[HPFGU-OTChatter] On Moderated and Un-Moderated Status

[Saitaina]

Dina wrote:

<And this is what I find disappointing.  There is no respite and the threat
of always being placed under moderation is there if you veer off-topic...
even on OTChatter, which would be to go on-topic for other lists.>

I've never seen a member of OTChatter placed on mod status for going off topic on OTC.  And it takes a lot to be placed back on mod
status, trust me.  The threat is there yes, but it happens very rarely in our history...I can only think of a handful of members in
my three years of elfdom.

<I was so *disappointed* when the mods stepped in here to redirect feedback
elsewhere.>

Why though?  We have specific lists for specific reasons, and while I understand your not wanting to join another list, it's a lot
easier to have others read your posts if they're not buried under tons of other posts.  The only reason I even caught this thread is
because I happen to haunt OTC.  Even if you're just blowing off steam, others who share the same concerns might not see your post
and chime in because they're not here.

<I'm a rambler. :-(  This saddens me very much.  By your definition, I'm a
low quality poster.  Although, I've suspected as much for a long time.>

I've known you for at least a year and on various other lists.  You're not a low quality poster.  Granted it's slightly easier for
you and me to get into a conversation on hp_slash (I shortened the group name) then here but you're still a good poster. :o)

<Err, I mentioned mailing list, not forum.  I highly *dislike* forums only
slightly less than being placed on moderated.>

The average HP mailing list is taken up by children and teens who (no offense to any teens here as they don't qualify) can't figure
out the English language to save their lives and use netspeak because they can't do any better most times.  Granted I'm not the
pinnacle of posters as my fellow elves can eagerly point out (I suck at spelling and grammar, a running needle point), but really,
if you want that mystical place where you can have it all...good luck finding it.  I tried at one point when I was annoyed with
HPfGU.

I don't really know how to make you feel better about us Dina, but the rules are there for a reason.  Granted unless you were there
for the reason they were in place it's hard to understand, but they are good rules.

The split between OTC and Main List came at a time when it was getting hard to see the different posts and cannon purists were
getting annoyed.  Feedback came during one of the 'ranting months' when the elves thought list members might appreciate a place to
post where their comments could be seen and heard and not lost in the shuffle.  Moderation came from trying to get newbies used to
our rather strict (or as annoyed newbies say, stick up our arse) rules.

What seems harsh in the beginning, becomes second habit after a while...so it's hard for me to see the problem with the rules since
they're normal to me...in fact I've often wanted to smack other mailing lists with the HBBigfile (or whatever we call the list of
rules now) so that everything would become neat and orderly.

Saitaina
****
"...And you," Harry said to Draco. "Let me define the term rescue to you. It's not to come and then having to be saved yourself."

http://www.livejournal.com/users/saitaina

"No, one day I'm going to look back on all this and plow face-first into a tree because I was looking the wrong bloody way. And I'll
still be having a better day than I am today."