Re: [SLUG] Announcement: Formation of a new LUG

From: Smitty (a.smitty@verizon.net)
Date: Sun Jan 05 2003 - 15:22:04 EST


On Sunday 05 January 2003 00:43, you wrote:
> On Sat, Jan 04, 2003 at 11:08:08PM -0500, Smitty wrote:
> > > Be forewarned: opening up an opensource list to commercial involvement
> > > is a slippery slope. Constant barrages of advertisements and
> > > solicitations, trolling headhunters, and garage sale type ebay folks
> > > will tend to irritate anyone attempting to ask technical questions or
> > > have open conversation. This is really why the SLUG list has policies
> > > against these things: there are no sinister plots behind it.
> >
> > I think you are speculating, Ian. I am not aware of anyone espousing
> > conspiracy theories about SLUG list policies. We are educated adults and
> > I think we can handle all the negative things you mentioned, if and when
> > they occur.
>
> Speculating? Perhaps. Having subscribed to hundreds of mailing lists for
> over a decade, experience has found this to be the case. A well policed
> list will generally avoid these problems, I will agree.

You speculating indeed, Ian. Neither Dave nor I have any such belief.
Just the fact that you accuse us of such a thing could mean you are inclined
to believe such a it. "hundreds of mailing lists" ? Policing can and often
is overdone.
>
> > > Yahoo Groups can be a pain though. If the registration process weren't
> > > irritating enough, those little trailer advertisements on every email
> > > get on my nerves. The spam is also rather obnoxious.
> >
> > Now, those statements are downright untrue. I found the registration
> > process to be a breeze - easier than Majordomo! There are No trailer
> > advertisements on every email as you asserted and No spam whatsoever. I
> > have been subscribed to another yahoogroups list for two years and Never
> > got any spam from that list at all. Gosh, Ian, if I didn't know you
> > better, I would think you are trying to F.U.D. a bit about FLALUG.
>
> Untrue? The last time I subscribed to a YahooGroups list, every message
> did include a small advertisement at the bottom of every email. Again,
> personal experience. If Yahoo has changed their policy since then, I'm
> glad to hear it.

Sorry to hear that a few lines of text at the bottom of an email message
annoys you. It has never bothered me.
>
> As far as Spam is concerned: your list is "Restricted Membership. This
> means you must approve every new member, which will cut down on the
> potential Spammers. Open lists tend to have these problems.

Yes, that is essentially the idea behind it.
>
> F.U.D? No. Personal experience. Perhaps I should reserve judgement until
> I'm approved to be part of the list.

You originally stated, "I wish FLALUG the best." Now you want to sit in
judgement of us? Now I am sceptical of what you really mean.
>
> > > It would still be fun to join if for no other reason than to pick up
> > > cheap hardware ;)
> >
> > And, Ian, you can advertise the services of your ISP on the list without
> > threats by a list admin.
>
> As I work for the company that hosts the current SLUG list, it is
> professional courtesy and a wish to honestly help the community that
> stop us from doing so.

And that is your choice. We still offer you the opportunity.
>
> It's an image thing as much as a marketing thing. All opensource shops
> need to weigh the benefit of the company vs the community. If the
> community subscribes to a policy of active solicitation, the benefits
> may outweigh the risk.
>
> > > In the end, it really depends on the effort or the organizers. If you
> > > have the time and resources to run another group, I'm sure it will be
> > > successful.
> > >
> > > I wish FLALUG the best.
> >
> > We will keep your good wishes in mind.
>
> *sigh*
>
> - Ian



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