Newsgroups: bit.listserv.words-l
Date:         Mon, 28 Sep 1992 18:05:46 CDT
From:         "(Natalie Maynor)" <maynor@RA.MSSTATE.EDU>
Subject:      More Past Blast
Comments: To: words-l@uga.cc.uga.edu

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Date:         Wed, 1 Nov 89 22:22:35 EST
Reply-To:     English Language Discussion Group <WORDS-L@YALEVM>
From:         AL ESSA <ESSA@YALEVM.BITNET>
Subject:      REQUEST

Dear Subscribers,

In response to the recent flood of mail, I would like to make
a suggestion.  While I am delighted by the interest in this
forum, please recognize that there is a threshold beyond which
conversation deteriorates into chatter.  I suggest that we
impose this rule of self-restraint: no more than *five* messages
per day.  (Not per person, but for the whole group!)
And, please, use the occasion to be informative!

I also concur with the person who requested that we make use
of the power of summary rather than the  >>>>>> business.
Thank you for the cooperation.

Al Essa
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Date:         Thu, 2 Nov 89 12:12:02 EST
Reply-To:     English Language Discussion Group <WORDS-L@YALEVM>
From:         Al Essa <ESSA@YALEVM.BITNET>
Subject:      New Policy

    As soon as I can make the necessary changes, WORDS-L will
become an edited LISTSERV.  The purpose is to consolidate the
postings into a smaller number of files.  This should mean
less clutter for everyone.  Thank you.

Al Essa
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Date:         Fri, 3 Nov 89 10:58:24 EST
Reply-To:     English Language Discussion Group <WORDS-L@YALEVM>
From:         Al Essa <ESSA@YALEVM.BITNET>
Subject:      ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Subscriber,

As of today, contributions to WORDS-L will be edited into
a digest and only then distributed to individual subscribers.
Due to an error, any submissions that were made during the
last twenty-four hours were not received by the LISTSERV.
If you submitted something during this period, please resend
it.  I apologize for the inconvenience.

I also expect to exercise some editorial control over the
content of the digest.  My intention is not to discourage
discussion, but to filter out what is clearly uninformative
and tangential.  (If I decide not to accept a particular
message, I will inform the person of my reasons.)

Please do not hesitate to send me your suggestions and
comments, both now and in the future.  Thank you for your
participation in this discussion group.

Best wishes,
Al Essa
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Date:         Sun, 5 Nov 89 15:48:33 EST
Reply-To:     English Language Discussion Group <WORDS-L@YALEVM>
From:         Al Essa <ESSA@YALEVM.BITNET>
Subject:      QUERY

Dear Subscribers,

I would like your advice on the future direction of WORDS-L.
Recently, I decided to change the status of WORDS-L from
an open to a moderated list.  Some of you endorsed the
new format with great relief, others of you felt that
it is tantamount to censorship.  Perhaps we might be
able to settle on a compromise.

First, I would like to give a fuller explanation of my
action.  I have been pleased by your interest and enthusiasm
in this discussion group.  My intention has not been to stifle
conversation or to assume the role of a self-anointed censor.
I was concerned to ensure that each and every contribution
receive a careful hearing.  When we generate twenty or
                            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
thirty items of mail a day, the ferocity of numbers overwhelms
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^   :-) :-)
and cancels the significance of any single message.
If we are to have an informative dialogue, then we need to
give time, reflection and thought to every message.

If we are agreed on this point, there is a compromise
solution.  Rather than sending you WORDS-L as a digest,
I can act as a traffic cop and regulate the flow of mail.
If too many messages are being generated, I will slow down
their rate of arrival into your mail box.  This plan
should alleviate any concerns about receiving "pre-digested"
information.  Please let me know your thoughts on this.
In the meantime, I will return WORDS-L to its previous
status, except my control over its rate of delivery.


Al Essa
ESSA@YALEVM
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Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU