I've been a participant in the Internet Oracle for many years, and I have to share the following Oracularity with the subscribers on the List Managers List. Enjoy. -- Mike Nolan > The Internet Oracle has pondered your question deeply. > Your question was: > > > Oh Great and always-on-topic Oracle, how can we get people on email mailing > > lists to stop posting off-topic? > > And in response, thus spake the Oracle: > > } I saw a movie the other day called "Enter the Dragon." It starred Bruce > } Lee, who was doing some serious kung fu. I counted at least four groin > } injuries. A classic, definitely one to see. > } > } Well, so much for being on topic. Getting back to your question, I can see > } six possible solutions: > } 1. Kill them. > } 2. Nuke them. > } 3. Kindly discourage them, or ask them nicely to please stop. > } 4. Ask the list administrator to be harsher with off-topic posters. > } 5. Just ignore them; maybe they'll go away. > } 6. Live with it. > } > } All of these solutions, however, present problems: > } 1. This is illegal. > } 2. Not only is this illegal, but it kills innocent bystanders in addition > } to the off-topic posters. > } 3. This will probably only make them post more. > } 4. If the problem persists, chances are, the list has no administrator, or > } at least not one who gives a darn. > } 5. They will probably not go away, especially if they are trolls. > } 6. You seem unable to live with it, which is the reason you are seeking my > } infinite wisdom. > } > } So, unfortunately, loyal supplicant, for lack of better words, you're > } screwed. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. > } > } You owe the Oracle a 16mm print of "Enter the Dragon" and a projector which > } shall be used to view the film. >
