Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/04/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>There are many different ways to run a mailing list. I have chosen >in recent years to run this one by not trying very hard to steer >topics or correct misbehavior. About once a month I feel the need to >terminate a topic, and every couple of years I eject a person. >Mostly I just let it simmer, like soup. > >Every online community will form a core group who are comfortable >with the way that community is run. The fundamental lawlessness of >the LUG has produced a core group who are a bit too much on the >nasty and judgmental side, which therefore causes us to lose members >who have a problem with nastiness and judgmentalism. > >There are plenty of online user groups for Leica people. I know of >at least 3. I see no point in making the LUG be just like the >others, and I believe that over the years the benefits of the >lawlessness have outweighed the downsides. > >This habit of picking on Erwin is definitely a downside. I believe >that if I were to run the LUG in a more-controlled fashion so that >less of this happened, that some other parts would suffer. I wish >you all were better behaved, but I'm not willing to take the >draconian measures necessary to force you to behave. I have been fascinated by the online process. When I first joined this group, I was more Australian in the way I posted, but I soon understood that I was not being understood -- jibes I took as funny, others took far too seriously. I also noted the Europeans were on a slightly different plane to the North Americans. I have not been on other groups to compare, but my experience has taught me a lot about my self, my sense of humour and about the sensitivity of others -- where I would have not expected it. I would agree with Brian, and also bow to his wider and wiser experience with internet communities. Cheers - -- Alastair Firkin http://www.afirkin.com http://www.familyofman2.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html