Another off topic debate...
As the list-manager I am the closest thing we have to a regulator.
I have had a long standing policy of NOT censoring anything except obvious
profanity on the list.
I have no control over what people say or how people act on this list.
I am not going to act as an arbitrator or negotiator. I do not have the
time to manage the list and act as an arbitrator or negotiator. The list
generates between 200 and 500 email messages for me to deal with _daily_.
I would like to say that the list is a "community" effort. I am
continually amazed at how the list has grown and developed. It has become
a fabulous source of information and communication. I got the list
started, but the list is dependent on the participation of all its
members, both as individuals and as part of the whole. It is not
something to be squandered.
It is up to this "community" not myself to determine what is and is not
appropriate. That is why I have not censored the "off-topic" debates.
I don't feel I should be resposible for making sure everyone behaves. We
are all adults. I do not have any magical powers that will make all
conflicts dissappear.
When people believe others have been inapproporiate, I think the concerns
should be settled privately, not through the list. I know this will not
work all the time.
I do not wish to start another lengthy off topic debate... On the other
hand I refuse to be responsible for settling the inevtiable conflicts that
will arise when 500 people get together.
A little patience and understanding can do a lot. I think it is naive to
assume that there will never be any conflict on this list. It is
relatively conflict free.
I don't want to tell everyone that they can _only_ talk about alt-photo.
I don't want this recent conflict to overwhelm the list. A comprimise is
in order. I just don't know what it is. :)
Gord Holtslander
list manager
________________________________________________________________________
Gordon J. Holtslander 112 Science Place
HOLTSLANDER@SASK.USASK.CA Department of Biology
URL: http://duke.usask.ca/~holtsg University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel (306)966-4433 S7N 5E2
FAX (306)966-4461 Canada
________________________________________________________________________