Hi Roger
On 17 Jul 99, at 12:49, RISKYBIZ9@aol.com wrote:
> Horse,
> Thank you for engaging us on this topic. I only write because I care.
I know you do and I appreciate that.
> Horse Wrote:
> Nearly all those who have posted to the MD on the LS
> PROGRAM subject didn't bother to join in voting for that subject
> when asked - neither did they post any suggestions - with 1
> exception.
>
> Roger:
> I guess I am still a little reluctant to vote considering that the last time
> I voted IT WAS BOUNCED. (To be fair, I must admit that it was my fault for
> voting after midnight Hong Kong Standard time) :-)
Voting cutoff times can get a bit tricky due to the international nature
of the 'net. The best thing is to vote early and avoid problems.
> I Previously Wrote:
> > I suggest the editorial board back off and allow a little more
> > dynamic freedom to the natural evolution of a discussion.
>
> Horse Responded:
> The whole point of the LS forum is that it is focussed. Wandering off
> onto off-topic subjects defeats the main purpose of the forum.
> Dynamic freedom for natural evolution of a discussion is encouraged
> on the MD - that's why it's there.
> Most of the people who have been around for a while know the
> committee members. Do you think we're some sort of power-crazed
> control freaks?
>
> Roger:
> My argument has not been that we should allow unrelated topics. I am NOT
> lobbying for allowing posts on Expanding Bubbles, Cosmotheism, or Star Wars.
> I am suggesting that tributaries to the main stream of a discussion serve to
> improve the dialogue, not ruin it. Allow some of the related tributaries to
> be explored. I do not think the editors are power-crazed, but I think your
> good intentions are not always maximizing the results which you intend. If it
> is close, let it through. Screen out the garbage and the rudeness, not every
> post that strays from your preconceived notion of what is or is not on topic.
In general this is what happens - look at the posts for this month.
They're not all perfectly on topic as I've passed through some
background material and other minor divergent material. I don't have a
preconceived notion of what is or is not on topic - I take each post as
it comes and consider it on it's own merits, as do the other
moderators. All the LS moderators have passed material which is not
strictly on topic for the reasons that you state above. What has
happened in the past is that a tributary has become the main stream
- often monopolized by a very few - and it is then very difficult to stop
the flow as accusations of 'unfair' moderation abound. This month I've
hit the brakes with two posts. It's not that easy to predict what will
work and what will not - if you think it is then become a moderator
and find out (this is a serious offer Roger - let me know) so this
month I've been more strict than in previous months. But I did say
right at the beginning of the month (the very first post I think) that this
would be the case and I don't believe that I have been overly
demanding.
> And one other concern is that I think it would be healthy to accept
> criticisms of the editing within the LS. This thread actually relieved my
> anxiousness on the issue. I was thinking I was the only person getting
> bounced. If I was the paranoid type, I would have been pretty nervous. One
> of my posts that mentioned concerns with the LS editorial policy was rejected
> three times. The only way to get it through the censors was to remove all my
> references to any concerns with the editor. I think the editors need to ask
> for and listen to some constructive criticism, and they need to publish it.
> There are several good ways to accomplish this without interupting the flow
> of the discussion (use a separate subject title, only take criticism at a set
> period toward the end of the month etc)
At the end of the month - just before and during the voting period -
most posts are just passed straight through. It's generally seen as a
less formal chat period and, presuming the posts aren't out and out
offensive, I have no problem with passing them through - this is just
me and I can't speak for the other moderators, it's their call on their
time. I'm quite happy to read criticism and integrate it where
appropriate, but if I don't agree I won't. This isn't to say that I would
pass every moan and winge that members send. As you might have
noticed, I'm open to constructive criticism but I get really pissed off
with the sort of criticism and stupidity I've had to put up with in the
past (not this month I hasten to add).
Anyway, it's time to wrap this topic up now and get back to the MOQ
so this is the last post I'll be responding to regarding the LS/MD
overlap.
Thanks to all for the relevant posts
Horse
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