Hello All, As have many of you, I have been following the recent "Google Attitude" thread with great interest. I think that both sides of the discussion raise very good points. I would like to suggest a solution that may satisfy both sides of the debate and, hopefully, allow the list to serve its function while avoiding getting bogged down with repeat threads.
I would like to propose that we put together a welcoming letter that will help list newcomers help themselves, without making them feel unwelcome. I would like this list to include an outline of some common (15 - 20) topics and questions that recur on a fairly regular basis. In addition to this, I would like the letter to include a list of reliable resources that newdcomers could refer to prior to coming to the list with questions. Hopefully, this can serve as a first step in the research process, one that new users will feel comfortable taking before posing questions to the list. I would also like the welcoming letter to outline for new members their obligations and responsibilities. While I agree that this list must serve as a welcoming, safe, discussion topic for security newcomers, I feel strongly that the good will and generosity of list members should not be taken for granted. I do not want this list to serve as a substitute for the leg work and primary research of people needing answers. After all, teach a man to fish, and he eats for a life-time, right? With this in mind, the welcoming letter will ask that, prior to posting messages to the list, members conduct some primary research of their own. It will recommend that they refer to www.google.com as well as the list archives. It will also be clear that, if they are unable to find the information they are looking for, they should feel no hesitation to post to the list - after all, that is what it is for. However, in doing so, the letter will recommend that when they post a question they outline for the list what preliminary steps they have taken, such as referring to the sources listed in the welcoming letter, which search engines they have tried, etc. With this in mind, I would like to ask you, the members of the list, to contribute to the development of this topic list (as I said, I hope to compile a list of 15-20 topics). I would interested list members to mail me suggested topics for inclusion on the list. As well, I would ask that you send me resources (on-line sources, Web sites, RFCs, FAQs, or off-line sources, such as books, manuals, magazines, journals, etc ) that newcomers can visit to find *reliable* trustworthy information. Further, if you have any suggestions on how to create and/or implement this letter, please feel free to let me know. Please send these suggestions to me directly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) and include the subject header "Welcoming Letter Suggestions" so I can filter my mail appropriately. Please submit these suggestions by the end of the day on Wednesday, March 13. Thanks in advance for your contributions and suggestions. Stephen Entwisle Moderator, Security-Basics SecurityFocus http://www.securityfocus.com (403) 213 3939 ext. 235
