To all,

Let me just throw my US$0.02 in on this issue.

We have had quite a few new subscribers to the list, but mostly coming in
via Usenet.  Usenet posters frequently do not use their real names in their
posts for fear of being spammed (harvesting of email addresses) or flamed
(for saying something controversial).

I can understand new members of the group being a bit overly cautious, and
especially if they are not from the MPE community, where we band together on
some issues, disagree on others, and yes, there are those who aren't afraid
to use the words "stupid" and other derrogatory terms on the list.

On the other hand, people who have populated this list for a long time, tend
to be welcoming, but cautious - much for the same reasons (mostly being
spammed).

I would suggest that a check of the headers can tell you if it came in from
the list (all mail headers) or Usenet (part Usenet headers, part mail
headers).  New members should be made to feel welcome if they are asking
legitimate questions or making useful and legitimate points.  If we get
spammed, we know it already (we got a few last week - make lots of money and
be reincarnated - both from the same spammer - who must be a diety of some
sort :) --- which, by the way, came in via MAIL, not Usenet.

To new members just subscribing or coming in via Usenet, we would ask that
you use your name.  We feel better as to who we are talking to, other than
just a handle.  A handle is great for chat rooms, but dosen't go down so
well here.

I guess the main theme I'm trying to advocate is tolerance.  Welcome the new
members and educate them when needed - instead of making them feel
unwelcome.  I'd rather see the new members here, helping us with our causes,
questions and issues, than have them feel alieniated - and have them go
away.  I can say with certainty that if my first posting to the newsgroup
was met with the responses I saw, my initial reaction would be to basically
say "screw these <expletive deleteds>".  Please keep that in mind - what
would YOUR initial reaction be?

Cheers,
Joe (wearing his Usenet/List gateway admin hat)