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This ADMIN notice was posted to the list on 04/04/01
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Hi all, List Mom here again. I promised a follow-up ADMIN message, so
here it is.
We've had a real mess on this list lately, and despite attempts by
both the Mod Squad and some of our list members it continued and got
worse. For future reference, here are some things to remember.
Occasionally we get list members whose only purpose, it would seem, is
to "stir the pot". Despite personal feelings, no matter how ruffled
our feathers get, it's important to remember to avoid fanning the
flames.
Although I think almost everybody understands what I mean, I'll babble
a bit and elaborate. It is not my intent to stop discussions, or even
heated discussions. I think most of us on this list, however, have
enough presence of mind to be able to tell when an individual is just
trying to get a "rise" out of list members. When you sense a
situation like that it is always best to either respond to the
individual off-list or not at all.
I know it's hard. I know many people, myself included, may find
themselves doing things like sitting on our hands in order to avoid
clubbing authors of certain posts about the head and neck with very
large sticks. But we're all adults here, and I think we can do it.
Without pointing any fingers or naming any names, I'll use the recent
turn of events as an example. We had one individual very vehemently
expressing an opinion on the list. The problem with this individual's
posts was not the opinions contained therein, but the way in which the
opinions were expressed. I'll say over and over again, there's
nothing wrong with having opposing opinions, and there's nothing wrong
with expressing those differing opinions. But when it resorts to name
calling and accusations, there's a problem. We've managed to have
many discussions on this list and many differing opinions on this list
without, for lack of a better term, catfights.
Just please remember that if your post contains nothing more than a
"see, they're doing it again" or similar statement, then it has no
place on the list. Send it off list. Please don't try to instigate
problems. And definitely, don't try to instigate the instigator.
Another thing I wanted to cover is moderator admonishments. If you
receive a message from a member of the Mod Squad, whether on list or
off list, and she specifically states she is wearing her moderator
hat, then responses to the list regarding that message are
inappropriate. The individual most guilty of this recently has chosen
to unsubscribe, and I actually don't recall any other instances of
this occurring, but it's another thing I wanted to make clear. If you
disagree with a warning or admonishment you receive from any member of
the Mod Squad, feel free to respond! However, it should only be done
directly to that Mod Squad member (at their personal e-mail) or to the
Mod Squad collectively at StevePerry-owner@y... The moderators at
this list generally try to direct list member admonishments to
individuals offlist. However, there are rare occasions where we feel
an admonishment on the list is necessary, as you may have recently
seen. However, official moderator warnings will always be done
offlist.
Lastly, please remember to change subject lines and cut-n-paste posts!
After the errant reply to last night's ADMIN message, I've seen that
subject line pop up a number of times. And have a little mercy on the
digest members with cut-n-paste. :)
The Mod Squad works very hard to try to keep this list happy. Some
days are harder than others. We constantly depend on your cooperation
and input. So help us out, folks. I'm too young to go gray. ;)
Lynn Wood |