[clug] New list?

[Paul Wayper]

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On 08/18/2010 05:02 PM, Chris Smart wrote:
> I've no problem with people discussing what they want to discuss, but
> I think that there's value in an alternative where we can discuss
> *Linux* without the noise.

I would strongly oppose any move to separate traffic out to different lists.

Firstly, all evidence I've seen shows that the 'social' list quickly turns
into a free-for-all.  If there's nothing that's truly 'off topic' then it
turns into a big bucket for everything.  Which means that every offensive
rant, every puerile joke, every trivial mee-too is considered 'signal' rather
than 'noise'.  You can't stop them because they just point to the 'social'
sign and say "I'm allowed to".  This has happened with the LUV list, where
some very offensive (to some) messages have been posted and then justified by
the fact that it doesn't have to be 'on' topic at all.

There are plenty of these forums already - if you are that much in need of
social conversation then my opinion would be to go and find one.

Secondly, it means splitting the interest.  "Oh, did you read that post on
clug-social?"  "Which list do I subscribe to?"  "I'd better cross-post it to
all the lists just in case".  All those problems and more come up when you
have a bunch of lists around one group.  The more it feels like an 'us and
them' scenario, the more it's like the "super secret handshake list" club, the
less people are going to be interested in taking part in our discussions and
joining the group.

Ultimately I think we do reasonably well.  When people are passionate about
things we have to occasionally rein them in; the solution is not to let them
go and rant where everyone else but you can hear them.

That's my opinion - it's a strong one but it's just mine.

Have fun,

Paul
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