The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

From: <jondl_2000@...>

> Opinions? Anyone?

Off-topic (and discussions about what should be discussed on a list) are as
old as the phenomenon of electronic mailing lists itself.

I've seen lists go down because a small group of people started to use it as
a chat list. Examples are the Jean-Michel Jarre mailing list at xmission.com
and the 01v mailing list at Yahoo groups. The Jarre list split in two, one
of which is essentially dead (maybe four messages a year and no replies) and
the other one I don't care to know about. This split took place because of
active moderation. Not that the moderator was at fault, but some people
wanted their chat list, so there.

Moderating is a dangerous and ungrateful task. I would steer away from it.

I don't feel that this list is turning into a chat list, because the
subscribers don't have the feeling they know the others as friends. As a
contrast, the people on the specifically off-topic Music Bar do, and they
occasionally even visit one another. I sold one my EX5R, and another one
I'll visit on my honeymoon.

I do think that people should be careful with what they post. If an on-topic
discussion results in subjects like Linux and Java, that *is* kind of
natural. But if someone asks "what sampler should I buy", the question
arises whether it wouldn't be a better idea to ask it on a sampler's list.

In the end, it's everyone's own responsibility. If people are leaving (which
Jon can monitor) that's a sign that things are going down with a list. Just
think well before you send off a reply.

- Peter