The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

>I have a gear question....
>I am looking for a hardware or software sampler ...

I hate to be the first one to grouch but am I alone in getting a little
frustrated at the level of off-topic posts recently.

We all know the purpose of the list.

Recently we have had endless Mac vs Win vs Linux cs BeOS debates, lengthy
my-computer-sequencer-doesn't-work problems, what does everyone think of the
Su700 discussions, which score editor is best arguements, Cubase 5.02
scripting bust-ups, OMS surgeries and bloodthirsty Java diss'ing.

I appreciate that not every item in each thread had been 100% without
relevance (the script thread at least began on subject). I also appreciate
that you might need an answer to your off-topic question and here might seem
a good place to ask. But the fact is there are many mailing lists and forums
specialised in all the above themes where you would be not only on topic but
also more likely to meet an expert.

If you have a non ANxxx question could I suggest you start with a general
synth newsgroup like rec.music.makers.synth or an appropriate list, rather
than here.

Ok, so now flame me.

A

>Ok, so now flame me.

There's no reason to flame you because you are absolutly right!
The quality of this mailinglist went down under sealevel a couple of weeks
ago.
Actually, unsubbing was on my to-do list this week.
But I hope Mr. Moderator wakes up and that the postings will be on-topic
again: AN1X!

I'll stick around... for now..

Later,
Roland

--- In AN1x-list@y..., Roland van Oorschot <rolando@w...> wrote:
> >Ok, so now flame me.
> 
> There's no reason to flame you because you are absolutly right!
> The quality of this mailinglist went down under sealevel a couple 
of weeks
> ago.
> Actually, unsubbing was on my to-do list this week.
> But I hope Mr. Moderator wakes up and that the postings will be on-
topic
> again: AN1X!
> 
> I'll stick around... for now..
> 
> Later,
> Roland

Ever heard the phrase 'Nature abhors a vacuum'? It seems to be the 
list has a dearth of off-topic posts because there is so little 
material, i.e., on-topic, AN1x related posts, to work from! And when 
an AN1x related question does find it's way to the list it often goes 
without a reply - not even a 'best guess' - for day's. If you want a 
more on-topic mailing list then it behooves you to participate 
actively and not simply bemoan the sorry state of the list. Thinking 
of unsubscribing? Who would notice?! Probably just me and only 
because I check the Activity settings periodically. C'mon people - 
we've a membership of nearly 500 users! Certainly we can do better 
than this :-/

That said, if you would prefer that I more actively moderate off-
topic posts then I'll be happy to do so. When I see a thread such as 
the 'Live Computer' discussion sustained for a few days with a number 
of opinions chiming in - I'm less inclined to cut people off when 
they are obviously getting something out of the discussion. How would 
you prefer I handle this? This is YOUR mailing list after all - I'm 
here to facilitate and administrate. I help when I can. Let me know 
what you want and I'll do my best to accommodate.


Opinions? Anyone?

regards,

Jon

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

>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@...