ATTN SELF-STYLED LIST POLICE (was RE: Mr. Day)

[James Wilkinson]

Bill (William) Triest wrote:
> I know I'm a semi-outsider, so I should be careful criticizing;  I want 
> this community to be the best that it can.  Since these discussions 
> never seem to end, maybe its time to take a step to change the way we do 
> things.

I intended to address this, too.

It has been my experience that most lists have on-going friction points
over various subjects. For example, Debian has continuous flame wars
over what constitutes "Free Software" (and this list has a tendency to
have similar debates occasionally). And most lists have on-going debates
about "what can be done".

Usually, there's little that can be done; I put my feelings here:
http://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-list/2004-August/msg03386.html
Sometimes there is. Often the discussions are necessary to remind the
list of what it is and what it does, and are helpful (in the long run)
in themselves, if only because people don't want to go through *that*
again, and modify their behaviour so as not to cause offence.

Sometimes, they're just destructive.

And very often, a lot of insight *does* come from outside the list.

As far as I'm concerned, as long as "outsiders" or "semi-outsiders" can
behave courteously, post intelligibly, and make good points, they are
welcome on the list. Just like the regulars.

Thank you for your contributions.

James.

-- 
E-mail address: james | A woodpigeon would, If a woodpigeon could,
@westexe.demon.co.uk  | But a woodpigeon can't, So it won't.
                      | A woodpigeon could, If a woodpigeon would,
                      | But a woodpigeon doesn't want to. So it doesn't.