TECHWR-L Topics

[Eric Ray <ejray -at- OKWAY -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU>]

     Hi gang,
     I recently started sending brief notes to anyone who
     posts something to the list that is, IMHO, completely
     off the topic. These notes identify the off-topic post
     and remind the sender of the purpose of the list. I
     will probably continue to do this as long as I have
     time or as it is necessary.  Please don't take offense
     at this and don't think that I am targeting you and not
     anyone else. I am, within the constraints of time and
     energy, doing it to everyone. Bearing that in mind, not
     getting a note from me doesn't necessarily mean that I
     condone the message about drug testing baby seals,
     rather it means that I didn't have time to drop you a
     line.

     Those of you who have expressed to me your
     dissatisfaction about the list digressions might
     consider doing the same thing. I do not advocate
     flaming all offenders, rather >constructively<
     suggesting an alternative forum for discussions which
     don't belong in this forum.

     One of the recipients of my little notes commented
     that: "It's your list, but if we need to focus to the
     point of excluding three lines of relevant humor, it's
     going to be pretty austere." Relevance, like beauty, is
     in the eye of the beholder. However, the fact is that
     it isn't >my< list. It is >our< list and we need to
     police ourselves.

     I personally don't see anything at all wrong with
     humor on the list or with occasional and brief
     digressions. I do, however, _strongly_ object to:
     * any kind of personal attacks
     * meta-discussion of digressions
     * "me, too" messages which don't add to the discussion
     and finally the always popular & oxymoronic irrelevant
     digressions. Digressing from color preferences when
     editing to who makes the best pens and why is, IMOH,
     relevant. The social conscience of the manufacturer is
     straying a little too far.

     I would be interested in hearing your feelings about
     this. If you have something to add to my comments or to
     open up for discussions, please do so on the list. If
     you just want to say that you agree or disagree, please
     do so to my personal address below.

     Thanks!
     Eric
     ejray -at- okway -dot- okstate -dot- edu
     TECHWR-L Listowner