Cabin Fever - q rights content only

[QSHIPQ <QSHIPQ@aol.com>]

Reading with some interest, this particular topic.  Having been here for 5+
years, and at the forefront of several potential WOB topics in that time,  I
offer some thoughts and btdt from this pentium.

First, "Waste of Bandwidth" (WOB) is a pretty vague and relative term.  Those
who propose to have THE definition, might want to gander the rules as Dan
Simoes has established (and since modified) for this list.  From those
definitions we can look at Phil's post and see that it fullfills anecdotal,
quattro content and context, and relevency TO the "Rules" of posting to this
List.  So, one might say that the judgement of  Phil's post in terms of WOB,
might be more a judgement of Phil, not his post.  Why?  Because strictly
reading his post shows the "delete" key (read Unka Barts thoughts) a more
appropriate tool to the post, than what was shared.  However, being on the
recieving end of the same response and action Phil enjoyed, let me share the
next step in terms of a Listers' "rights".

Bruce's post regarding the privacy of "opinions" and private thread
extensions, are well taken.  He and I have enjoyed several blunt and offline
lobs in reference to differing opinions and presented "facts" on a wide range
of issues.  Many others have enjoyed (or not) the same offline discussions
with me, I respond to most all posts to me regarding WOB, or just offline
conversations.  Many a friend, many a beer the reward for those exact
interactions.  However, the issue that Phil brings to the LIST, is NOT the
same, nor quite as comfortable to swallow as some of those hard earned beers.
And bottom line:  No one should consider a private post as sacred ground, it
is a document that has legal, ethical and moral standings. Remember the Charge
is WOB, the Punishment is a return of the original post.  This is an issue of
harrassment and a Lister's rights, NOT of WOB, Private postings, OR the
<delete> key.  

What are your rights?  Let this poster share some with you.  When I was on the
recieving end of the same <Edit><Copy><Reply><Paste><Send> I rather
agressively explored my rights as a poster, not only TO a List, but as a
member of the internet community.  Your first obligation is to report this
harrassment to your List Administrator, by definition here, Dan Simoes,
remember to document ALL the harrassment posts you were sent AS they were
sent, headers and footers and content included, edits and deletions are not
considered original documents.  Secondly, you have rights spelled out in YOUR
server agreement, as well as the server of the one doing the harrassing.  At
the time I issued the complaint, I worked resolving the issue with the
offending party first, then went to both the Administrator and my server, as
well as, the server of the harrassing party (which happened to be the same).
My goal wasn't punishment, only cease and desist.  On reflection, I might have
been more successful on the former than the latter, however, objective met.

This harrassment is considered serious by most administrators and servers.
The very WOB that the "judge" expounded, if everyone did just one a day, could
overwhelm the WWW in a matter of minutes.  In my specific case, between the
Administrator and the Server, the C&D was somewhat successful.  I am saddened
that ANY fellow lister needs to address this issue again here, it's not fun,
and frustrating would be an understatement.  I personally would do EXACTLY
what Phil did, and urge swift action by Dan Simoes on this very issue.

Phil, you have made us aware of the problem, pursue it agressively.  This
violation of YOUR rights really affects all of us, since given the "charge",
any potential post/er is Guilty by Conspiracy.    The volume of mail the
quattro list deposits every day, makes the thought of "doubling" a nightmare
for any of us.  I urge you to first consider sanctions and options privately
between the List Administrator and your/offenders server.  We ALL have a
vested interest in getting this to stop, and immediately.

The return of a post is exactly NOT the tool to use on another lister.  That
weapon has a very limited ordinance.  And the target firmly squared on the
"judges" own foot.  In the year since my incident, the www community is much
less tolerant of disgruntled wielding of this weapon.  Most servers spell it
out as a form of Harrassment, and sanction severely for it.  

Phil's record of posts is solid here, and though he has objected profusely
about the header footer and reckless <edit><paste> in list responses, he has
consistently been fair and reasonable in his posts and the rights of others.
Here, the charge of WOB is nothing short of absurd, and the action put upon
him is of Charge and Sentence by the self appointed "Judge".  The fine
imposed, is Phil's extra charge to reread his own post again, since he pays by
the bite (pun intended).   This is a problem larger than initial appearances,
and deserves ALL options Phil has at his disposal to correct a wrong.  Nothing
to do with private posting, a Charge and a Sentence/Fine are two completely
different animals in Intent and Execution.  The ONLY judge is the List owner,
by definition; anyone "taking" that power in absencia should be censored.
This is hardly a grey area, IMO, and one that deserves serious consequences
for anyone considering this form of harrassment.  If this is a repeat offense,
the sanction should reflect it.

Phil, be calculating and direct in your course of action, we defend your right
to continue posts of the same flavour as the one you were so wrongly charged.
A great adventure should be remembered that way, and shared.

My .02

Scott Justusson
QSHIPQ@aol.com
'87 5ktqwRS2
'86 5ktqw
'84 Urq