[mac4theblind] List policy and reminders
- From: John Panarese <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 18:05:32 -0400
Hi folks,
I want to be clear about a few things that occurred yesterday. List
traffic got exceptionally high, and I apologize to those of you who, like me,
have enough to deal with in our inboxes during the course of a day. There were
over 40 messages in regard to a subject that had really no place on the list,
and there were 12 alone overnight..
I was going to post the rules here again for the list, but I then decided
that it shouldn't be necessary. I simply like this list to stay on topic and be
a list for questions and answers for technical support matters. Understand that
off topic is fine within reason, and I tend to let things slide, especially if
I know the people posting and I also know they will not go too far astray.
We've had it occur before, and it's generally not been a problem.
Nevertheless, I take some responsibility for what occurred yesterday, as I
broke a few of my own personal rules about avoiding being drawn into debates
with people who are not going to back down. Each response to messages yesterday
generated more list traffic, and this is exactly the kind of situation you
don't want on the list. Also, it is why I referred to it as "trolling", and I
had two list members write to me within a half hour of one another also
indicated that they felt the list was being trolled. One message was
particularly humorous, and I thank the person for giving me a laugh at around
11:50 last night, as I needed it.
Here is what would have happened if I had let things go in the direction
they were heading. This individual sent me a link privately to an article he
found that supported his assertions about PCs out selling Macs, and he was not
aware that I had about nine links I collected or was sent by someone off list
that talked about Macs eclipsing PC sales in the last 9 sales quarters. The
problem is, if links start getting posted to prove the sender's point, it
simply goes back and forth and generates off topic traffic that eventually
causes members to leave the list entirely. I've seen it happen on other lists,
and I had to think of the overall state of the list, and not my own personal
position about the subject I wanted to back.
So, I choose not to post my links and end the topic, and in the words of
one of our list members, who sent me the amusing message off list and though I
will not identify them, I will basically quote one of their several comments
here, "It's obvious there is an agenda at work here. Why invite a means for him
to push that agenda. If he thinks Windows is so wonderful and he wants to live
in the past, remove him from the list and let him do so elsewhere."
I did not remove anyone from the list, though. I have not banned a member in
the several years I've run this list. However, please do not push your luck
either. The topic remains closed, but I wanted to address things because I had
four list members write to me about this, and I also feel the list deserves an
explanation.
Also, on a similar note, as a word of advice, if you want to write me
privately and give me suggestions about list policy changes, I certainly don't
mind and will read them and may even institute them if I find them appealing.
However, do not try to dictate list policy to me and tell me what I should do
in your opinion. Start your own list if you want to run it in a particular way
that suits your style. This list has existed for several years with its current
policies and I was actually quite flattered and shocked by the number of people
we now have subscribing here. I do thank all of the newcomers that have joined
us in the last few months, and I apologize for not posting a welcome to you all.
Take Care
John D. Panarese
Director
Mac for the Blind
Tel, (631) 724-4479
Email, john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Website, http://www.macfortheblind.com
APPLE CERTIFIED SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL FOR MAC OSX 10.7 LION and 10.8 Mountain
Lion
AUTHORIZED APPLE STORE BUSINESS AFFILIATE
MAC and iOS VOICEOVER TRAINING AND SUPPORT
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