Where Angels Fear To Tread

[Fred Ward <fward@erols.com>]

Ladies and Gentlemen of the LUG:

This morning I logged onto the NET to pick up and answer my mail.
Because of excessive and unproductive traffic on the various lists I
once subscribed to, I have self-limited my e-mail messages to just two
lists and personal mail. 

After having cleaned up all the morning mail, I again logged on this
evening and found 120 messages. After a quick count I find that no less
than 89 of the messages generated just during waking hours of this day
are from the Leica list.

I humbly contend that this is getting out of hand. More than half the
messages should have been sent privately or were hopeless repeats of
repeats of repeats. 

Now before you begin the slings and arrows, may I make two comments:

1. I will read and answer all responses except those that contain the
senseless phrase, "net police," or suggest using the Delete key.

2. The NET is a good thing; the LUG is a good thing; and most of you are
also good things. But this is getting way out of hand.

Although I am interested in most things Leica, I do not have the time or
patience to wade through 25 repetitive messages about whether the DR or
rigid Summicron is sharper, about whether it is better to use spit or
Ted's underwear for lens cleaning, or to waste any more time reading
anything about the Contax G2, since I have no interest in one, will
never own one, and am seriously wondering why there is all the Contax
traffic here at all. 

If we can agree on anything, could we agree not to post what should be
personal messages to the whole list. And could you read what 5-25 others
have already posted on a subject and not repeat the exact same
information that adds nothing to the discussion and only clogs
mailboxes. 

If we all would be a bit more careful, the list will be a great deal
more interesting and efficient. 

Thank you.

Fred Ward