On 11:51 AM 9/21/01, Cyndi Norman wrote:
> Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2001 09:42:02 -0700
> From: JC Dill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> A) How important is it that a "software user's list" accept and
distribute
> all posts (including posts from non-sub$cribers) that are remotely
> "on-topic" and about the software in question?
>
>Depends on the kind of list you want to run. Is it a discussion list or an
>information sharing list? The former allows more posts than the latter.
>And why are nonsubs wanting to post? If their reasons are legit, you will
>be more likely to want their posts.
Good points. On the list in question, the non-subs questions are IMHO
primarily of interest to the non-sub who posts said question, and are often
annoying FAQs to the list svbscribers. That's why I was motivated to ask
this list for guidance and opinions. I believe (rather strongly) that they
should be required to sub before posting, primarily so we get one more
crack at saying "RTFM (and readme, and list FAQ) before posting to avoid
being flamed for posting yet another annoying FAQ". But I also feel that
it's rather rude to post to a list you don't read. It's tantamount to
posting to a usenet discussion group and then saying "I don't read/follow
this group, so please email your reply".
> "Where can I download xyz software?" is
>probably a question you want to avoid people posting because it's in the
>FAQ (the FAQ is posted regularly to the list, I assume?).
Actually, no it's not. The list is very unmanaged. For the most part, it
self-manages pretty well, but I feel it would stay more on-topic *for the
svbscribers* if non-sub were more stringently managed.
The FAQ is also a bit lacking, there are quite a few recently frequently
asked questions that aren't covered. Oh, the joys of trying to get people
to adequately and thoroughly document an open source software
product/project. :-)
jc
