brief statement on the eric vs phil debate

[Dan Simoes <dans@ans.net>]

I really hate doing this stuff.
Eric has helped me with a lot of things, and Phil is one
of our best contributors.  I'd prefer to do this privately,
but since it's out in the open, I'm hoping my words will
set some guidelines for the future.

To briefly summarize, Phil posted a note about driving
somewhere, that was fairly verbose and had minimal list-relevant
content.  He also mentioned drinking a few pints.

Eric, in his inimitable style, sent Phil a note that meant
to say "since you're so worried about cost of bandwidth, 
perhaps you shouldn't post these long, barely on-topic 
messages?"  He also chided him for drinking and driving.
The wording was much stronger though, and 
uncalled for, in my opinion.

Phil then brought this matter to the list's attention.

Now here's my $.02/two pence.

Eric is welcome to send any sort of email he likes to anyone,
using whatever language he cares to.  I see his point in
sending the note, but I don't think the choice of words
was a good one.  But that's his business (and Phil's).
Also, he can easily filter Phil's messages if they bother him.

Phil erred, in my opinion, by posting private email to the list.
He should have sent me a note to discuss it first, or he could
simply have replied to Eric with a "bugger off".  If Eric
then chose to continue sending Phil's messages back to him,
as he threatened, Phil could pursue normal complaint channels
with AOL.  These options are still open to you Phil.

Bottom line...

The list is a community of sorts, and we all want to send out
things that are relevant to ourselves in some way, but most
likely are not relevant to others.  This is the downfall of
a single list.  I'm working on a way to allow those who wish
to get only tech discussions, or A4 discussions, or whatever,
to do so, while allowing others to see all traffic, if they so
choose.

Eric or Phil or both may disagree with my words above, but
I think the discussion has gone on long enough.
It also highlights the need for more than one active moderator
to keep discussions on topic.  Volunteers please send me
private email.

-- 
Dan Simoes                                dans@ans.net
ANS Communications 		http://coimbra.ans.net/dans.html
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