On Mon, 26 Jan 2004, Bob W wrote: > > I think it would be more effective to split the list into sublists. > > there are plenty of discussion list host-sites around. Everybody is > entirely free to start a list on any subject they choose, and invite > others to join them.
This is true. I should let people know that I currently do run a number of lists, and host even more. Creating a new list when there is already an existing list on the same subject that is well known is typically not beneficial to anyone. > But consider this: If you start a list, or a sublist, with a very specific > subject matter then it is either moderated or unmoderated. > > If it is unmoderated, as this one essentially is, then you have no way of > making people stick to the subject or do what you want, so chances are it > would end up like this one, and you'd be back where you started. That is not necessarily true. An unmoderated list with good involvement by the list manager can generally keep things on topic by reminding people not to drift too far off topic. A steady but not too strong hand doing this for a long period will grow a community that does a good job of staying on topic. The largest lists that I run are very active, but generally on topic. http://search.bikelist.org if you want to see for yourself (look at internet-bob and touring). > I get exactly the same PDML mail as everybody else, I believe. Managing the > inbox takes me about 30 seconds a day. If it takes you longer than that > perhaps you should consider a different mail client. I don't believe that you can scan 200 messages a day and decide if they are interesting to your or not, no matter what client you use. If there is interest in a Pentax D-SLR list please reply to me off of this list. If I see 20-50 people interested then I'll go ahead and start it. alex
