[OT] A sincere request- for sanity.

[Justin Dugger]

On Sat, Aug 16, 2008 at 8:59 AM, Adrian Griffis <adriang63 at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sat, Aug 16, 2008 at 12:15 AM, Luke -Jr <luke at dashjr.org> wrote:
>> Exactly, this is a group of Linux users. That does not exclude other topics
>> from discussion, provided those discussing them are Linux users.
>
> I must say, Luke, that I am troubled by your response to efforts to
> contain the off topic hcatter on this list, particularly since you are
> often a party to egging on the off-topic flamewars.  Like you I want
> to avoid the strictest form of moderation, where no off-topic
> discussion is allowed.  But it sounds like you would have us live with
> almost no guidelines at all, and I fear that the flamewars you've
> helped prepetuate convince me that we must excercise some control on
> this list, even if it is largely self control.
>
> Let me suggest to all on the list that perhaps it is time to start
> talking about some principles we might use to guide our own behavior
> on the list.  First, I'd say that any reasonable system of ethics
> should govern interactions between different parties is such a way
> that each party is offer some protected from the excesses of the other
> parties.  I think we've seen examples of excess in recent discussions
> on this list.  While we might have varying opinions about how much
> departure from the list's topics is permissible, surely most of us can
> agree that unlimited departures are not wwhat we want to see.
>
> Second, I want to suggest a specific limit that we might all consider
> following in our participation in this list.  While some off-topic
> discussion could be acceptable, perhaps each of us could try to insure
> that the amount of off-topic list bandwidth we use does not exceed the
> amount of on-topic list bandwidth we use.
>
> Any thoughts on this?

On Sat, Aug 16, 2008 at 8:59 AM, Adrian Griffis <adriang63 at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sat, Aug 16, 2008 at 12:15 AM, Luke -Jr <luke at dashjr.org> wrote:
>> Exactly, this is a group of Linux users. That does not exclude other topics
>> from discussion, provided those discussing them are Linux users.
>
> I must say, Luke, that I am troubled by your response to efforts to
> contain the off topic hcatter on this list, particularly since you are
> often a party to egging on the off-topic flamewars.  Like you I want
> to avoid the strictest form of moderation, where no off-topic
> discussion is allowed.  But it sounds like you would have us live with
> almost no guidelines at all, and I fear that the flamewars you've
> helped prepetuate convince me that we must excercise some control on
> this list, even if it is largely self control.
>
> Let me suggest to all on the list that perhaps it is time to start
> talking about some principles we might use to guide our own behavior
> on the list.  First, I'd say that any reasonable system of ethics
> should govern interactions between different parties is such a way
> that each party is offer some protected from the excesses of the other
> parties.  I think we've seen examples of excess in recent discussions
> on this list.  While we might have varying opinions about how much
> departure from the list's topics is permissible, surely most of us can
> agree that unlimited departures are not wwhat we want to see.
>
> Second, I want to suggest a specific limit that we might all consider
> following in our participation in this list.  While some off-topic
> discussion could be acceptable, perhaps each of us could try to insure
> that the amount of off-topic list bandwidth we use does not exceed the
> amount of on-topic list bandwidth we use.
>
> Any thoughts on this?

It has been suggested on IRC that a moderated mailing list be set up,
alongside a kclug-social mailing list for offtopic things.  The
problem is simple:  there are hundreds of subscribers too this mailing
list. If your mail isn't relevant to their declared interest (Linux)
then it's likely to be marked spam, to the detriment of all traffic
originating from KCLUG mailing lists.

More importantly, a tiny minority are responsible for the bulk of the
traffic.  I discovered that filtering out one specific person reduced
traffic by about half.  You can probably do even more detailed
analysis if you're feeling mean.  This either an attempt to waste
people's time, or, more likely, the end result of many people blocking
this guy.  If fewer people are paying attention to you, make up for it
in volume, I suppose.

I could continue filtering people like this; many of us could continue
filtering people we feel not worth paying attention to.  But it
creates an invisible line in the community that isn't known to
outsiders and new members.  By ignoring the problem, it festers until
it reaches critical mass (re: stupid congressman bullshit or any given
posting style debate).  If a clear line was established and enforced,
I think the Linux User's Group would be healthier overall.  I don't
intend this to be directed at specific people, but I do want to send a
message of acceptable behavior to a small minority who doesn't seem to
get it or care for it. It's also to remind the rest of us, who
occasionally fall into these traps, what to do instead.

My suggested simple guidelines to keep discussion relevant and productive:

DO:
* Be respectful. We're all interested in similar outcomes, and
expression of a diversity of opinions is healthy, but don't let
differences of opinion in the small or large details turn into
personal attack.
* Be considerate.  No amount of debate will change a person's
fundamental beliefs, whether it be as minor as which text editor is
best, or as major as whom to worship.
* Share problems. Interesting problems can require interesting
solutions, and the community as a whole can learn from what works and
what doesn't.
* Be helpful. Linux is used in a variety of places; even experts in
one field can become lost in another.
* Share projects.  If you have a Linux related project for a hobby (or
job), please share it with us! You might just find a few willing local
collaborators ready to pitch in.
* Share your interest in Linux. A certain level of mistrust of a
proprietary software company is healthy, but what we all have in
common is the use of Free software, rather than a hate of closed
software. It needn't be all technical; political discussion is fine,
so long as it's pertinent to the use and development of Linux.

Please keep in mind this is a first draft.  Suggested additions,
removals and changes are welcome!

Justin Dugger

P.S. Sorry if this hits the list multiple times -- I got some wierd errors.