On Fri, 9 Feb 2001, Paul Hoffman / IMC wrote:
> > Anyone else have a major problem with volunteer
> >list-cops?
>
> You betcha! Some lists that I run that are not closed to
> subscribers, and get occasional spam (like one or two a
> month). The "why don't we close the list" discussions are
> usually much worse than the spam, and often take up more
> messages than the list topics.
Not sure what you mean by "not closed to subscribers." If you
allows posts from non-subscribers, you will be spammed. This is
a fact of life on the Internet. Some lists admins choose to stay
wide open. Accepting posts from anyone who gets an itch is not
an acceptable situation to me. Granted, forgeries can bypass
not-subscribed filters but most subscribers, flamers and spammers
aren't that bright.
I haven't seen any requests to "shut this muther down" before.
I've been called a SoB more than once, mostly behind my back.
I'll admit I have done the Pied Piper thing and helped lead a
rebellion to split off a subtopic from someone else's list.
I've also helped people spawn new groups from a list that I run.
As list admin, I've proposed shutting down one of my
rarely-active lists a few times... That list still lives.
Doesn't eat much of my time or server space. The semi-dormant
list does get few "where did everybody go" questions now and then
and once in a while a valid thread springs to life.
Some of the problems I've seen described recently on
list-managers puzzle me. For example, if someone sent a half
dozen one-line replies to one of my lists, they would get one
warning via private email. If the didn't take the hint, I'd
either put them in always-moderate mode or punt them. Same goes
for nitt-pick spell checkers, quote-back-everythings and most
other annoying breaches of netiquette. Off-list diplomacy is my
first choice but I'm not shy about enforcing decorum.
One a list I host that is attractive to disruptive subscribers.
I use a simple application... an entrance exam of sorts. I ask
for their real name, any topic related affiliations and
experience, and what they hope to gain from and contribute to the
list. In practice, they don't need to have any experience or
credentials to subscribe. I look for any indication that they
have a serious interest in the list topic... I decline about one
application a year.
If you let brush fires go unattended, a list can get out of
control pretty quick. It's a lot easier to keep things in order
than it is to recover a list that has gone to the dogs... On the
other hand, an anal-retentive list admin can kill a mailing list.
You have to develop a feel for when you can let minor problems
slide and when you need to step in.
- murr -
