The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

>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 agree.  The threads may get off-topic, but they rarely get into the, 
"Hey, I saw you drive by in your new 3000GT the other day.  Nice car!" 
variety.  There is a higher level of OT on this list than most, though.

>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.

It's funny how individual perception works.  I find the sampler-type 
questions pretty natural -- many list members seem to own and play multiple 
keyboards, and the group here is more helpful than some other forums -- but 
I often find the Linux/Java/Windows/Mac discussions a little heavy for my 
taste.  (And before you write me off as a technophobe, I'm a hardware 
design engineer who also writes code for a living!)  I feel that, "What's a 
good sampler?" is allowable, while, "How do I get my {sampler_name} to 
modulate through the pitch bend wheel?" is pushing it.  YMMV, though, so 
perhaps we should take a poll on what members think is and isn't 
appropriate in side discussions.

I moderate another Yahoo! List! on Hammond organ clones, and we allow 
discussions of amps/speakers, MIDI gear, and even clone-vs.-Real-Thing 
discussions, as long as they don't get too far off track, or last too 
long.  (Actually, the area that I rein in most is discussion of real 
Hammond costs, repairs, etc., as there are plenty of other forums dedicated 
to that topic!)  We also have an unwritten rule that any OT post that 
exceeds 3-4 replies should be taken off-line.  And as far as "nature 
abhorring a vacuum," I belong to several lists that sometimes go dormant 
for weeks at a time, usually followed by a flurry of posts.  I don't see 
any reason to necessarily equate silence with defeat.


Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions"
www.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group moderator
978.386.7389  voice
978.964.0547 fax
bruce@...