Klarinet Archive - Posting 000656.txt from 1997/04

From: Mark Charette <charette@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Dan Leeson & lists (somewhat long & a bit off topic)
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 09:08:28 -0400

I, too, miss Dan's comments; erudite, biting, irreverent, and
irritating. I've been in (very) occasional contact with Dan; he
may be monitoring the list via other means, I'm not sure.

However, people come and go on this list as they please, and decide
to share or not share their experiences as they choose. The
alternatives to this open list do not appeal to me.

When Dan left, I was asked by a couple of people if I would start
a moderated list; a list where all postings get approval before
being posted. I've moderated a list or two before, and declined to
start a moderated clarinet list for the following reasons:

1) Moderated lists are fine for very specialized subjects; if in
fact someone wanted to start a list dicussing, let's say,
Mozart's contributions to the art of clarinetistry, then a
moderated list works well. The number of postings are few,
the topic specialized, and off-topic postings are easily
discernable.

2) Moderation does NOT mean "Net Police". The signatures of people
on the list may still be offensive to some; the moderators tend
to disallow only a few phrases or words in the signatures. As a
moderator I would have allowed the signatures that Dan found
offensive through, even though I found them to be a bit outside
the normal realm of signatures (along with a few others that I
really feel WERE offensive to the general public). I can only
think of one signature I would have deleted before posting, and
was because of one word (but not because of the sentiment of the
signature).

3) The dilution of the Klarinet list, to me, was probably the
overriding factor. I have to weed out the nuggets of wisdom
in the raw ore of the list; sometimes there are gems buried
in the tailings, too (review the archives someday; you'll find
wisdom and learning even in comedic relief). Starting a new list,
especially moderated, would also probably seem elitist to some.

4) The amount of effort in moderating is phenomenal; not only do
you have to keep the list running, you also need to have co-
moderators, arrange for coverage during vacations, and you
HAVE to read every posting. Not a job for the weak.

Yes, I miss Dan, but the alternative (becoming a "Net Cop"), makes
me shudder.
--
Mark Charette Webmaster, http://sneezy.mika.com/clarinet/ - the
MIKA Systems, Inc Clarinet Info Pages . For Klarinet help, send
charette@-----.com

   
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