Re: Maarten suggests an OT list, as the PD list has.
Setting up an OT list, for me, just seems like a concession to folks
whose nettiquette would better benefit from a bit of self-restraint.
My impression, backed up by a quick scan of the PD-OT archives, was
always that the list was set up as a concession to a certain eNNtitity
who will remain NNameless, so that all its spam and machine-gibberish
poetry could go there instead of the main list, rather than simply
force-unsubbing it.
The eNNtity doesn't bother with it anymore, but it still looks a bit
more like a catch-all for spam than a lively forum. There was a great
thread on books there last month, but in general any of the worthwhile
topics could have graced the PD list w/o any complaint.
I have never seen a topic on the PD list which was recommended to be
moved to the OT list. On the other hand, I *have* seen people directed
to other lists when asking questions about Max/MSP or other OT software.
I think any civilized user of a specialized, technical discussion list
needs to know for themselves when something is OT. Then they should
really question whether or not we NEED another 30+ postings on the given
topic [be it feeding trolls, M$ spreadsheet compatibility or whatever]
before continuing. If they really believe the group will be enlightened,
they should still mark it [ot], as I have for this potentially
unenlightening post ;-)
my two eurocents,
D.
--
derek holzer :::
http://www.umatic.nl
---Oblique Strategy # 151:
"Take away the important parts"