Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!cfa!ward
From: ward@cfa.harvard.EDU (Steve Ward)
Newsgroups: comp.sources.d
Subject: Re: How can a moderator take a vacation? (Re: comp.sources.unix)
Summary: opening a direct dialogue
	 signal/noise ratios
Message-ID: <1277@cfa.cfa.harvard.EDU>
Date: 22 Nov 88 14:41:39 GMT
References: <184@twwells.uucp> <7681@well.UUCP> <200@twwells.uucp>
Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Ctr. for Astrophysics
Lines: 28

Mr. Wells and the other net moderators are to be commended, not
"slimed."

Rhetorical question:  How many of the quick-to-complain-and-insult-via-
                      intercontinental-public-netnews have actually sent
                      personal, non-insulting, non-inflammatory, sincere
                      let's-discuss-it-as-rational-beings private email
                      to any of the moderators in question?

And I don't mean sending "quick lip shot from the hip" type of mail that
so routinely gets international airing in public.  What I mean, is a
sincere, diplomatic inquiry to open a dialogue for what is perceived to
be a problem on the part of the mail sender, entreating the moderator
to engage in a personable, two-way conversation aimed at developing
solutions to the problem.  I also don't mean to imply that
"brown-nosing" is required, but since one person's problem is another
person's solution, and civility will keep the focus on the real issues,
just plain being nice is in order.

I suspect that there has been close to zero legitimate direct dialogue,
and to the extent that it has happened, it is all probably
post "public sliming."

A (apparently not in vogue) minor suggestion:  talk personally,
privately, sincerely, and with civility with the principals before
having a public knee-jerk reaction.

Steve W.  ward@cfa.harvard.edu