Bill wrote :

> Jeff - I certainly hope that you don't leave! I was seeking
> the consensus of
> the list because while I would never respond to a rude, unsigned (with
> misspelling) post, I wanted to get a consensus. A good rule
> someone on the
> Mercedes list gave is that if you "start to talk with 1-2
> people only - then
> offer to tale if off list". That's probably a good rule of thumb.

IMHO, that rule makes sense.

> Gosh, can you imagine a list that would be only "100% on
> topic" 24/7? To me
> that would be a bit of purgatory. If you know someone for a
> time on the
> Net - there comes a time when you want to talk about other things...

I am also subscribed to unedercover, a list of Rolling Stones fans. I can
assure you taht the list is moderated, and the moderator spends really a
significant amount of time to keep off-topic at bay. Which is consistent,
sicne he is from San Francisco. OK, I could not resist a little pun. Bottom
line : moderated lists exist on the net.

> Of course a good list should veer back to the topics or it loses the
> original meaning people signed up - since I am choosing to
> "homestead" I
> will certainly need a resource for HP3000 and hopefully will
> be able to
> contribute to the questions of others...

My gut feeling (I am really on my own at this point) is that, whatever
happens to MPE, even total oblivion and ultimate vanishing from the radar
screen), this list won't fade away. It will "branch to unknown addresses",
like other computer-related subjects, etc. My gut feeling is based on the
reality that people here have gotten used to read each other's mails over
the years, and they regularly turn to each other for guidance, advice,
ideas, etc, whether computer-related (all computers) or else. And yes, that
includes me.

What does everyone think ?

Christian

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