Hi Horse, HORSE <<<Have you not received the last few posts regarding the future of the MF list? It seems bizarre to me that on the one hand we're offering to completely overhaul everything to do with the MF list - format, moderation, rules, THE LOT (including possible uses for other lists that exist) - whilst on the other hand you seem to be saying that the old format is not to be changed but will continue as is. I really am very confused. If you are too then check the current MF archives to see if there are items missing from your received posts. >>>
Horse, I don't think I missed anything, and sorry if I made it look as if I had. Let me restate my views. I think that we must go with patterns that have emerged and proved successful, and drop ideas that have failed. MF never really worked properly - the most vibrant discussion it generated is the current one on the MF format. If this is all MF is good for, then I think it has to go. Roger's attempt to focus a MD thread by leading and summarizing the discussion looks like a winner. He has exploited to good effect a momentum already there in the discussion. I don't think it is an accident that the free discussion (MD) has reached a degree of focus by a natural evolution, while the attempt to enforce focus by decree (in MF) has failed! I see the attraction of moving the certain threads off to a separate less noisy sublist, but that thwarts any attempt to unify themes. IMHO, if people want to discuss, then they have to be prepared for an open and free discussion, and be ready to sort out the wheat from the chaff. If people want just to read in comfort without doing the work, then they can read the digests or go to the library. HORSE (To everyone else): <<<The format of the moq_focus list DOES NOT have to stay the same as in the past. We are currently trying to find some sort of format which offers something different from the moq_discuss list and at the same time will provide something of value to all involved. We're also trying to bring members into the discussion so that the list reflects the wishes of the members involved. If you want to have a say then do so. >>>> My ONLY concern is that the quick turnaround of the current MD lists tempts people (particularly newbies, like I was once) to post several times a day, responding immediately to responses and to responses to responses. I think a simple damper, like releasing incoming posts to the list only once or twice a day would encourage people to take more time and care in preparing their posts. I hope that my views are now clear. Jonathan MOQ.org - http://www.moq.org
