Let's close the list was Re: [oclug] Got Ink ?

[bbarnett at L8R.net]

On 11-Aug-2001 Francis Pinteric wrote:
> 
> --- Philippe Tanguay <ptanguay at magma.ca> wrote:
>> On Sat, 11 Aug 2001, Francis Pinteric wrote:
>> > No, let's not.
>> 
>> Um, why ?  Because you say so doesn't count.
>> 
> 
> Um, yes? Besides that, closing the list is not the right thing to do.
> 
> But, of course if enough people decide to close the list, then
> majority rules. That's why I detest democracy, it's the tyranny of
> the majority over the rule of doing what's best.
> 
> Besides, an informal poll of those people who cared to give an
> opinion (which amounted to less that half a dozen I believe) is
> hardly even a plurality.
> 
> But, let's be clear what you mean by "closing the list." It means
> that "only members" may join. That is registered OCLUG members.

No one ever suggested this, at all.  If they did, I missed it, and "closed
list" usually doesn't mean this...

> 
> Some other members proposed a more liberal approach in that those who
> post messages to the list must first be subscribers. This approach I
> would tolerate, but disapprove of. In this way we still allow anyone
> to be part of our mailing list, but avoid some of the more recent
> problems. Personally, if it were only SPAM we were worried about I
> would even object to that, but because we've also been seing virii
> and worms at a level that has outstripped by far the few SPAM that
> have arrived I am willing to be flexible. Temporarily. But, as we all
> know, any decision made on this score, even temporary would likely be
> permanent.
> 
> It is because I have such a high regard for openness and freedom that
> I wish the list to remain the way it is, even if we have to tolerate
> some SPAM. But rampant virri and worms, even if misdirected?
> Something to think about. But, I fear that any action on this front
> would play into the hands of the isolationists.
> 

Not at all.  In fact, there doesn't even need to be a verification process set
up for posting, if that's what you fear.  All we want to do, is ensure that
automatic email just *sent* here doesn't hit the list.  So, the following would
fix the problem :

1) to post to the list, you must subscribe

or

2) you can use the handy, dandy web form to post a question to the list.  The
web form can even add a mail header to indicate what IP address the posting came
from.  This would elimate spam, AND allow people to post whatever they wanted
to the list.  I don't see why this is needed however, since you can always :

3) use hotmail, yahoo mail, etc, etc, or telnet into your own box and use pine
or what not to post to the list.  If you find yourself often away from the
office or home, working on client's machines, and in need of an email address
(and you can't ssh into your own box and write email), why the heck don't you
have web email set up?!  Its not like posting to this list is the only time I
need email away from home!

I honestly don't see the problem, except for "Its something new, therefore it
must be something bad".


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