Hi All,
On 12 October 2010 20:49, mick mbm@rlogin.net wrote:
On Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:58:57 +0100 Ian Thompson-Bell ianbell@ukfsn.org allegedly wrote:
Why don't We change to reflect what the rest of the world is doing instead of sticking out head in the sand.
If we did that, then we would all be using proprietary "standards" such as microsoft's document format. Fortunately, some people choose to do otherwise.
1) What has Microsoft got to do with the email list etiquette on this list?
2) Why all this infatuation with Microsoft? I thought we (the collective open source community) were better than that.
3) There are lists that follow different conventions - there is no One-Size-Must-Fit-All. Surely that's the beauty of open systems, open source, and the Internet in general? We can pick and choose and not get bogged down in silly flamewars.
4) Can't we just accept that the etiquette on *this* list is to reply to the list, and skip out all other recipients? (is there a FAQ? shall I start one on the wiki?)
5) Why do we even care what other lists such as Debian use? This is out of scope for this list. The Debian etiquette is irrelevant here (with all due respect to Debian, their list and all the ALUG members that are/may be involved with Debian).
6) Brett's email, while understandably seeming a little enraged, only inadvertently functions to fuel the debate. "Because the rest of the world is *NOT* doing what you are saying." There is possibly no definitive proof of this and also it brings in my point number 5, above. - What other lists do is irrelevant. What Brett thinks is the best way to do this, is irrelevant. What only matters is that everyone follows the ALUG mailing list etiquette.
If the ALUG mailing list etiquette happens to be exactly what Brett says, then so be it - but at least then we can say that this is the ALUG way, and leave out the inflamed personal emails.
I feel a bit sorry for Ian - it would have been better for people to have responded with the ALUG mailing list rules as a matter of fact. A simple "This is the way ALUG operates. These decisions were taken by experienced members and we see no reason to change it. If you feel we should change it, give us your very carefully reasoned point of view and try to convince us that your idea is superior." would have worked better.
I do want to point out though, that I do completely agree with Brett's reply regarding luddites. This is one thing we are not.
Regards, Srdjan [hoping to not get LARTed at the upcoming pub meet in response to my email ;-) ]