Moderate the list?

[Richard Oliver Snelson]

Clyde,  My experience with moderators has been quite different. They
only work behind the scene. All posts directly to the list. The
moderator then works to cut short threads that consist of chit chat. If
someone insists on doing only chit chat or constant chit chat, the
moderator gives ample warning and then removes them from the list.  I've
been on several list with this sort of moderator and it does work well.
A friendly message now and then does not get one removed from the list.
There is no technical editing etc... 

Could we work together to obtain the same result? I don't think so.
There are some folks  with very strong opinions out there about how
those of us wanting to tighten up the list to technical subject are
taking something  away from them.  You can't take away something that
you didn't have in the first place.  Our guidelines make that clear. 

Rich

Clyde Hollinger wrote:
> 
> Friends,
> 
> Forgive my ignorance, but what would a moderator actually do?  I have
> this
> perception that a moderator would read every post and forward to the
> list only
> those deemed of general interest.
> 
> Potentially every one of us could get steamed about that, because
> something *we* thought was of general interest was kicked out by the
> *big boss.*  What form of government would that most resemble? Certainly
> not democracy.
> 
> Maybe we are having growing pains.  How many people subscribe to the
> list now, compared with maybe two years ago?
> 
> I favor moderating ourselves.  It would take some energy, but if you
> feel a post should not be on the list, just send a private message,
> probably only a single sentence, to the sender.  Maybe "Please send such
> messages privately" or "I feel this doesn't belong on the list."  I know
> if I got a half dozen responses like that toward something I wrote, I
> would soon consider what I send much more seriously.
> 
> Regards,
> Clyde Hollinger
> 
> Robin Blankenship wrote:
> 
> > Perhaps a
> > moderator to keep things focused would be useful.