Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Wed, 29 Jul 1992 12:35:58 MST
From:         Madge McBurney <ISPMOM@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Subject:      From the listowners (please read)

To all members and readers of Christia,

Once again, the ugly specter of list flaming has stuck it's head into this
list.  It seems that no matter how much we ask and plead with the members
of Christia to abide by the guidelines of this list, the choice is made to
ignore us.

We are not asking or pleading this time.  Rather, we have decided, after a
period of private conversation between us, to request that the members of
this list make a choice.  We feel that the membership of Christia are adults,
at least in age, and therefore should make an adult choice.  We are asking
that a choice be made on this list either for a supervised list, or for one
this is unsupervised (supervised in regards to the subjects of discussion,
length of individual posts, the " tone of voice " in the post, and like
issues).

If you wish to have an unsupervised list then let us know.  If you wish for
us to continue to attempt to supervise the environment of Christia then let
us know.  We are quite serious in this, if an unsupervised atmosphere is
desired then that will be allowed.  BUT - if you desire a more controlled
list, we will continue to attempt to maintain that environment.  However,
you must consider in your mind that we are very likely to start being more
active in our enforcement of the guidelines, while expecting more restraint
from each member.

We (the listowners) spend alot of time behind the scenes with this list. We
believe that this type of non-intrusive list management is best.  It has
the least amount of impact on the list traffic as a whole and we feel that
it promotes a much more friendly atmosphere.  There's very little public
discipline needed, avoiding any unnecessary embarrassment for those involved.
It tends to be less confrontational and less hostile in nature than public
correction and / or rebuke.  To help us in our attempts at supervising the
list, a series of guidelines were drawn up.  These guidelines are sent out
to each new subscriber and posted periodically to the list as a general
reminder.  It is within these guidelines that we attempt to manage this
list.  Your choice, as a member of this list, is to decide if you wish us
to continue to do so.  It is our determination that in light of the
guidelines, flames should not appear on Christia.  When they do appear,
they should be ignored by all involved with this list in the knowledge that
the listowners will NOT ignore them.  One of the things you will be voting
on is whether or not you wish us to continue in this light.  If you choose
to retain the " right " to post flames, we will not attempt fire control.

We aren't perfect, we make mistakes.  Not only that, we don't know or
understand every side to every topic.  But it is our firm belief that flames
of_any_ kind should not be welcomed on Christia.  If the choice is made for
supervision, we will be taking much more firm action concerning flames than
we have in the past.  It is our opinion that problems, such as personal
offense, should be addressed privately first, then to the listowners.  It
is also our opinion that in no case should a flame be sent or addressed to
the list membership in general.  We have and do rely on you, each of you
personally, to contact us when you have been offended.  But we are getting
tired of trying to supervise the unwilling.

So we have decided to give you, the membership and readership of Christia,
the opportunity to tell us, the listowners, what type of list you want
Christia to be.  We have come up with three alternatives for you to choose
from and list them here:

1. A moderated list - This is a list where the listowners receive and review
   every single post that is sent to Christia and must approve or release
   the post before it will be distributed to the membership and news feeds.
   This would allow us to completely filter the tone and content of the
   posts, examining length, content, tone, and subject matter of the posts
   for approval/disapproval.  It would require a much larger investment in
   time by us and would change the spontaneity of Christia completely.  It
   would eliminate the problems of flames and inappropriate posts.  It would
   also mean the we, the listowners, would have complete editorial control
   of Christia.

2. A supervised list - This is a list, much like Christia is now, where we
   would attempt to control the tone and subject matter of the
   conversations to fall in line with the guidelines.  This would mean that
   from time to time we would request that certain subjects be dropped or
   put on hold.  We would deal with flames and attacks privately whenever
   possible.  It would also mean that we will make mistakes in our judgement
   of posts, posters, and subjects.  But it would mean that you, the list
   members, agree to and with the guidelines and would be willing to work
   with us in our attempts at supervising the list.

3. An unsupervised list - This is a list where pretty much anything would be
   accepted.  We would not attempt to regulate the posts in any way, not in
   regard to length, subject, or tone.  We would be available for assistance
   with the mechanics of list operations, subscribing, unsubscribing,
   setting distribution options, and so forth.  But we would not chase down
   flamers or supervise discussions in any way.  We would not call for
   subjects to be dropped or taken off the list and would not attempt to
   stop arguments.  We would not even attempt to regulate membership or
   remove members that were chronically offensive.

Please post your votes and feelings concerning this issue to one or both of
us privately.  We will compile the results of the voting and post them to
the list.  Our personal feelings are that Christia remain a supervised list
and that you all will be more willing to work with us.  But we are weary of
continually trying to supervise and help those that aren't willing.  It's
up to you all - decide which type of list you desire.

Sincerely,
Madge McBurney (ispmom@asuacad.bitnet)
               (ispmom@asuvm.inre.asu.edu)
Steven Klepzig (sklepzi@ssb1.saff.utah.edu)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia