Re: Flame Wars

[greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

On Wed, 28 May 2003, Will Owen wrote:

> Anyway, this is most emphatically an on-topic matter. Not only is it
> relevant, it's part and parcel of what the Digest is about, in my
> opinion, and declaring it out of bounds just because it's too painful or
> nasty or personal, while understandable, helps no one. Namecalling is
> certainly out of bounds, but pointing out that someone has been
> chronically short in meeting his commitments, if the allegation is true,
> ought never to be, not if the Digest is to be a useful resource.

Speaking as someone that has run open lists before, I can certainly
understand Richard's comments re: this topic. This is most definitely an
on-topic item for this list, but only so far. After that, then it usually
descends into flame-war rhetoric and causes no end to hurt feelings,
off-topic messages, and just plain noise.

Anytime someone has problems from a vendor or another seller, whether on
ebay or classifieds, it's nice to see comments about that problem here so
others can be warned about problems. Conversely, when someone has a good
experience, it's nice to see that comment as well. The members of the AD
have been much better on the latter than most other lists, car related or
otherwise, and everyone is to be commended for posting the good as well as
the bad.

I hope Richard will continue to allow the initial posts on topics like
these. And if the matter pertains to someone on the AD, then allow that
person a rebuttal message. Assuming everyone doesn't chime in with a "me
too" on either side of these issues, Richard won't need to step in.

At the same time, when someone posts a message asking for information
about a seller, or if others have had problems with a seller, perhaps
people can reply to that person off the list. Then after a few days, the
original poster can post a message summarizing the responses. Yes, this is
more work for the poster, but it will also help keep the list from
digressing too far off topic and keep Richard from needing to put on his
Admin hat.

Another common solution would be for someone to create a vendor FAQ and
perhaps Richard could include a reference to the FAQ in his FAQ, or
include the vendor ifnormation in his FAQ. If this is done, then whoever
does it will HAVE to be fair and unbiased, that means including not only
comments, but praise as well. [Keep in mind, there are several on the AD
that have posted praise about the quality of what they got from Caribou.]

Just a few of my thoughts on this topic, any further replies or discussion
should probably be to me privately, or taken to off-topic.

Greg
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