Hi WAMUG As much as I hate to "open a can of worms", I need to address this issue to the list. The WAMUG list is set up as a free support group for all to ask their questions and others to offer advice and "fixes" to problems or their own experience.
Unfortunately of late their have been large amounts of email "questions" sent directly to people rather then going through the list, Ronni in particular. Although this may be seen as "just a small question", it only takes 10 of these small questions to add up. If spending 10-15 minutes on these "small" questions then it doesn't take long to add up to 2-3 hours alone. Ronni (and others) gives her time and advice (and research) free to the list, and unfortunately it's now starting to become a problem with the number of people contacting her offlist rather then going through the list first. This recently became a problem and as such Ronni unsubscribed from the list to avoid some of this problem. Luckily for us (the list), we managed to persuade her back to the list. However, if we don't address this issue, then we may see the same occur and not be able to persuade her back to this list next time. I know we would hate to see this happen. As contacting offlist can be seen as a "consulting" service, then Ronni would be entitled to charge for this, as she does for some of her other clients. (As does any other organisation these days. Have you tried to ring a lawyer or accountant recently and just ask them a "little" question. They're more then happy to answer it,..they just add it to your bill... in 6 minute increments.) :o) I'm not trying to start a flame war or a big long thread here, and not out to offend or upset anyone. I just need to put this to the list so people are aware. (If it's not said, then no one is aware). I hope all can understand and appreciate this, and would ask that this "protocol" be followed. Also, some may find the Guidelines and Etiquette for the list useful for reference as well. <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailing-list/> Thanks in advance for everyone's understanding. Kind Regards Daniel Kerr -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Unsubscribe - <mailto:wamug-unsubscr...@wamug.org.au>
