In a message dated 10/29/01 11:41:25 AM Pacific Standard Time,
rdcrisp@No-Spam writes:
> I find it amazing that so many apparently have such difficulty skipping
> irrelevant stuff. Hey, when I go shopping in the store, I may skip aisles
> that I know there's nothing in there I want, and I certainly do not look at
> everything in the store. I have learned how to pick and choose what to look
> at and what to buy.
> >> Why would I welcome posts about the weather on TAC when I can look out
>> the window? Perhaps if you want a free for all bay area astro chat list,
>> you can start another TAC off-shoot like TAC-imaging. It can be called
>> TAC-Talk! :-)
>>
Yeah, some people have problems skipping irrelevant stuff. Mostly I'm pretty
good at it.
> Specialized by charter, yes, but in reality, people are going to post what
> they find interesting, and that occurs in the "boutique lists" as well.
> Sometimes that stuff is deemed off-topic, and either the thread dies out,
> or someone squelches it. When you have unmoderated groups, that just
> happens.
> To me the S/N ratio on this list is still quite excellent by normal
> internet standards. And I think that comes largely from the localized
> nature of the list. If you know you will never see somone, then the
> temptation to flip them off in a flame war is increased perhaps. Because
> many of us see each other on a regular basis, I believe that brings in a
> level of policing that simply does not exist in the anonymous world-wide
> groups that are full of the weirdos you mentioned.
>
I agree with you on these statements in general. TAC members generally do
get along, even if we disagree at times. I do understand your points, but my
point is that we need to do our best to keep the list generally on-topic so
that it can continue to be a service to the local astro community. The list
has lost quite a few members in the past when it's content has gotten too far
from it's mission.
> >>
>> THIS TAC list exists to organize bay area amateur astronomers, plan star
>> parties, chat about observing with a smattering of friendly banter thrown
>> in. You talk about new folks ocming in and things changing, but do you
>> start re-arranging the furniture when you visit someones home?
>
>
> The TAC list works marvelously well at the goals you have stated. I've
> never seen anything quite like it. It is a testament to the wisdom of those
> that created it. And like any successful endeavor, it evolves over time.
Evolution is a slow and gradual process that is generally beneficial to it's
host. Changing to suit the needs of a few individuals leads to chaos and is
generally deadly to it's host.
<<THIS TAC list exists to organize bay area amateur astronomers, plan star
parties, chat about observing with a smattering of friendly banter thrown in.
You talk about new folks coming in and things changing, but do you start
re-arranging the furniture when you visit someones home?>>
> Regarding furniture, I have on occasion done just that. And guess what, it
> worked better and when I have visited again, I've seen my work persist.
>
> rdc
> >>
Remind me not to invite you over. LOL! ;-)
In keeping with the list charter, I'll do my best to keep any of my further
comments to myself or private e-mail.
Richard
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Oct 29 2001 - 13:07:32 MST