[SpamCop-List] Re: News Admin: Newsgroup Charter?

[Sue Morton]

Thanks to those who have commented so far.  I would like to address a few
specific points that were mentioned:

michael wrote:
 so, anyone making it as far as the mailing list or newsgroup should (so
the theory goes) already have seen everything they need to see to know
the rules and not ask questions which have already been asked...

if people aren't seeing that stuff, then either it's because they're not
bothering to read stuff as they should, or because they're being
referred here by other means...
....

I believe I mentioned in my post that many of us read that stuff but have no
frame of reference with which to understand it.  You guys have been neck
deep in this for awhile.  But many of us are confused by what we see, having
no experience with it (and do other things with our time than study it.  Not
your fault, but there it is).  So we blindly ask for help, offer as much
evidence as we think would be of benefit, and hope for enlightenment.  As we
learn and things become clear, we find it easier to understand what the FAQ
has been saying all along.  Not everyone that uses a PC is a "Computer
Professional" or has even had a basic windows class.  But we are all trying
to fight spam.


michael wrote:
i wouldn't advocate bunging up the newsserver / archive with a huge
posting, but it might be a good idea to have a regular posting of a
brief pointer to the FAQ, the rules and the purpose of each group...
....

I didn't advocate an 'end-all be-all' posting.  In fact, I mentioned these
should be brief.


RW wrote:
Regular posting of a Charter is only going to benefit (and eventually
irritate) the regular users here.  A new user coming in to make their
one post/question isn't going to wade through hundreds of posts before
asking their question.  As michael pointed out, most users go through
the help pages to find the server where the main rules are prominently
posted.

In fact, most newbies never make it to the server.
...

I am a regular user of this newsgroup.  Please don't speak for me that I
would be the only one to benefit or would be irritated.  In fact, I politely
suggest you speak only for yourself.

Regarding the new user, I believe I mentioned in my post that I didn't think
the Charter would not help with the problem of new people posting 'wrongly'.
I 'hung out' for a bit before making a first post.  Perhaps I would have
seen the Charter before making that errant post if it was introduced to the
ng often enough.  Perhaps, though, I still would not have understood it and
made the same mistakes.  I do not know.


I'll say again:  I do not know if this idea would help.  I believe it would
in some cases, or I would not have mentioned it.  If I am the only one
(well, two, thanks "The Real G'Day"!), then of course it will not happen.  I
really like the Charters in the other groups I regularly visit.  They
mention things like whether there is a mailing list ("so please snip quoted
material on replies down to just the part you are discussing"), simple rules
("only attachments under 40k are allowed") etc.  Very small and
straightforward, and they refer a to website page for full details with full
explanations.  As things change I am kept informed.  I like that.

Sue





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Sue Morton - remove digits to reply