In the 9 months in which I have been a member of this
list, the 'banter/list split' debate has come to a head twice
and has been alive and well and living under the surface
the rest of the time.
Each time the subject has surfaced it has become 'bigger
than Ben Hur' (or as the subject is future directions should
I say 'Quo Vadis') and generated more traffic than the 'banter'
which generated it. Each time suggestions are made about
splitting this list into 'interest groups'. The debate seems to
ignore the following:
1. Topics are dynamic, they grow from one another.
Within a year (at a guess) each of the 'one issue'
lists will have diversified.
2. The fact that topics are dynamic is a part of the
strength of the list. One line in a posting can result
in a whole new thread ( and if we are really lucky,
a whole new title in the Subject box). If anyone
genuinely believes this is a bad thing I wish them
luck with controling it.
3. It is imposible to find a universaly acceptable definition
for the phrase "off-line topic". (This is not a challenge,
simply a statement of fact). Any definition which would
exclude banter, for example, would probably also exclude
discusion on the day by day, representative by
representative details of the Udall bill. It is actually a lot
easier to find a definition for 'on-line' topics, which would
include both subjects.
4. Those people who feel strongly that alternate lists are
viable and desirable are at liberty to set them up. They
are also at liberty to either leave this list or remain on it.
The choice is theirs.
5. Finally, as I see it, the real question in regard to the list
is "do I belong to to it for what I can get out of it, or for
what I can give to it?" For most of us the answer will
be a balance of the two. We join for what help we can
get. With time we find ourselves giving more and more.
Hopefully a balance evolves. As for me, if the day ever
comes when I feel that not only am I not getting anything
from being here, but ALSO that I am not giving anything
to the list, I shall fold my tents, say my goodbyes and
leave. Why would I stay? Why would you want me to?
Lets get real. If anyone is actually going to set up specialist lists let
them do it. If anyone is planing on leaving because of percieved
deficencies in the list, please do so, preferably without blaming me for
their actions. To those of you still out there busy Udalling and
bantering
and even occasionly mentioning PD - Hi, I'm still here, 2 cents worth at
the ready, glad of your support and offering mine.
Dennis
++++++++++++++++++++
Dennis Greene 47/10
[log in to unmask]
http://members.networx.net.au/~dennisg/
++++++++++++++++++++
