[svlug] About splitting the list

[Walter Reed]

On Sun, Sep 02, 2001 at 04:41:09PM -0700, Marc MERLIN wrote:
> On Sun, Sep 02, 2001 at 03:49:01PM -0700, Ian Kluft wrote:
> > I've been suggesting for a couple years to add a newbies list since the
> > expectations of all subscribers are quite varied.  Differing expectations
> > lead to conflicts like these.  That idea has not made any progress because
> > those who can make the decisions are against splitting the list.
>  
> So far we have, and I'm not the only one.
> 
> Basically, my points against were:
> - dealing with people who flame and post trash by splitting the list is not
>   the way to go: it doesn't solve the real problem.

Just to add my 2 cents...

Instead of splitting the list, how about adding a line to the message footer,
something like:

    _______________________________________________
    svlug mailing list
    Read the FAQ at http://www.svlug.org/faq.html before posting
    svlug at lists.svlug.org
    http://lists.svlug.org/lists/listinfo/svlug

The FAQ could list lots of useful newbie links, including pointers to some of Rick
Moen's excellent docs on winmodems, etc. Wouldn't hurt to include a FAQ item on
list etiquette either.

Sure, it won't stop all clue-less posts, but a newbies list won't either.
Unless someone is willing to moderate all posts to this list... (fat chance of
that, and I don't believe that would be desired either...)

Maybe even email the faq to all first-time posters.