On Wed, 19 Sep 2001 09:42:02 -0700
JC Dill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I have recently taken on shared admin responsibilities for an open
> source software product's "user's list".
I would have no idea which list that is now, would I? Note that
other subscribers to the subject list(s) are also here (you'll
likely guess who).
> A) How important is it that a "software user's list" accept and
> distribute all posts (including posts from non-sub$cribers) that
> are remotely "on-topic" and about the software in question?
There are common conflicting arguments on this one. I'd suggest
that that's a wise course for the -users list as it promote
community and direct access to the user base (who are often not well
clued). For -developers I'd suggest a harder line, with a fair bit
of pushback on threads to move to -users (fairly easy to do from a
certain moderation interface we both know -- just reject with a
"-users" comment and send a copy to the other list.
> B) Is it reasonable to expect/require the software's users
> sub$cribe to the list and to read a FAQ before accepting their
> posts?
Resonable? Absolutely. Likely to happen ebfore the universe
collapses into a great black hole and entropy finally reaches its
ultimate terminus: No.
> (To no longer approve non-member posts and strictly limit posting
> to sub$cribers, and to include the FAQ (or a pointer to a URL that
> contains the FAQ and a strongly worded suggestion that they read
> it before postin) in the welcome message.)
For those questions which are __strictyl__ FAQs, without question,
I'd be mildly tempted to reject with a comment of "Please read the
FAQ".
> C) Is it reasonable to expect the admins to answer *some* of the
> non-member posts outright, rather than forwarding the post to the
> list (to be distributed to several hundred sub$cribers, and then
> not answered, and then be asked again)?
Yes. I've used the rejection field for precisely this purpose.
--
J C Lawrence
---------(*) Satan, oscillate my metallic sonatas.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] He lived as a devil, eh?
http://www.kanga.nu/~claw/ Evil is a name of a foeman, as I live.
