RE: [cobalt-users] Re: aspiring moderators

["Dan Kriwitsky" <webhosting@xxxxxxxxx>]

> I must admit to recognising the symptoms.. but would plead
> mitigation based
> on the inordinate volume of mails in my box recently.. One just
> hoped that a
> single post on the matter from someone not involved may put the fire out,
> saving time wasted peering through the flames, thereby allowing efficient
> reciprocal learning to proceed.. I believe however that my
> frustrations may
> have gotten the better of me..

Look back through the thread and similar flame-fests. There were probably 10
one-time "stop bitching" posts that helped keep the thread going.

>
> Some days the noise on this list has exceeded the signal by many
> decibels -
> sometimes "keeping people on topic" costs more in static than it
> creates in
> gain..

Maybe in the short term. In the long term, if it helps, it was worth it.
I've seen many more posts lately that are, finally, saying what the poster
has already tried, and where they've looked, so there are fewer "I already
tried that" replies.

>
> Hundreds of new list members will appear every hour of every day, it is
> impossible to "police" them all indefinitely.. it's better to "educate
> them" - a few simple but nice words of advice as opposed to curt comments
> and criticisms usually worked for me.. it's not so much what you
> say but how
> you say it.. and if that doesn't work then I'll usually try sarcasm.!

Hopefully, they were first educated by the META FAQ that gets mailed out to
everyone. If they choose to ignore it and post about something either
covered in the FAQ or ignore the instructions in the FAQ, a reminder, IMO,
is in order.

>
> I don't think I am far away from your stance on this Dan, it's just that I
> really do value my time,  40% flames from a daily average of 200
> mails means
> we do need police,  and they should be out looking for the time thieves..

Down the road, I think that goal will be reached.

> I really do enjoy reading the many and varied useful posts on
> this list, but
> I don't think I should be forced to read anything else..

You're not.

>
> In an effort to recover some of the hours lost in the fire I propose no
> further response in this matter..

Sorry, too late. I really don't understand all the posts like yours that
propose that for some reason, despite making statements that, IMO, if not
replied to, imply acceptance, no reply is wanted. There have been several
recently. If you post an opinion, expect a reply. If you sincerely don't
want a thread to be continued, don't post.

>
> Please don't answer them anymore.!  Think of the time you'd save..

I do ignore many. Some beg for a reply. Many get a reply from someone
besides me. Often, when I see the reply, (as often happens on this list),
before the post, I don't bother to reply further.

--
Dan Kriwitsky