🚀 go-pugleaf

On Fri, 10 Dec 1993, mingfang li wrote:

> In no way should the the whole list be hold hostage just because one or two
> netters had problems.
>
> I do not understand how the list can send messages to these netters even
> after they system domain name changed (that was the reason they had
> trouble unscribing as I recall).
>
> Furthermore, it does not take a techie to do basic things.

Mingfang is one of many who have been reasonable and polite about the two
recent individuals that have ANNOYED this list with their difficulties.
And I appreciate these comments. As the list owner, I have my hands full
keeping up with bounced mail, paying attention to those experiencing
difficulties subscribing and unsubscribing, attempting to introduce new
features, learning the complexities that can occur in running a list, and
finding as much time to participate as I would like to. Like most of you,
I am learning to cope with the information overload (or as Richard Saul
Wurman has called it: non-information overload). But, I can only do so
much.

For example, in the past hour while ridding the EndNote List of the two
most recent hostile individuals, I received over twenty bounced messages,
most the result of down hosts. Sometimes, one of you takes a vacation and
after your mailbox is full, I receive back  from your mail every message
posted to the list since it became full. Even worse, sometimes a host is
down for up to a week, or stops existing, and I will receive repeated
bounces of the SAME messages (the mail daemon may repeatedly try to get
through to you). Following the Listowner's List, it seems that many, if
not most, listowners don't waste their time trying to figure out why list
subscribers aren't getting their messages, and instead just delete problem
accounts (no point to sending a message because it will just bounce back
and be added to the heap).  Listownership is not glamorous. In fact, I
know that most of you are very thankful for our contributions. You're very
welcome!!!

Anyway, I will admit that I missed Andrey's message from Nov. 9th asking
me to resolve her problems (most of which I am without blame for ;-)).
Rainer, on the other hand, never sent me any message indicating a problem.
So, his hostility is totally unwarranted. I did get a message from one of
you recently thanking me for my assistance, but I'm at a loss t remember
what I did.  For Andrey, many alternatives where available--in fact, a
second message to me would probably caught my attention.  But, some people
out on the Internet forget that they are dealing with humans, who make
mistakes. I'm reminded of two thoughts from an expert on human behavior,
Mark Twain.

  - "Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits."

  - "Never learn to do anything: if you don't learn, you'll always
     find someone else to do it for you."

Anyway, I suspect that many individuals who don't take the time to learn
what they should know are the same individuals who try desperately to
control other people's behaviors (for reasons Twain mentions and other
reasons). If using the Internet was as dangerous as driving a car, perhaps
more would learn the rules of the road and take some lessons before
embarking on the information highway. Playing with the recent rash of
metaphors applied to the Internet, I wonder where the Data Highway Patrol
is when you need them!

During the next few weeks, I ask for your patience as I'm heavily involved
in a book project. Direct your requests/problems directly to me and I will
try to resolve them ASAP.

Steve Bang

P.S. For your amusement (I hope), I am attaching a file from another
listowner which expresses most of the feelings that all listowners must
feel. The two responses to the post where very favorable, one suggesting
that the poster run for governor and the other suggesting more posts like
this one when other list subscribers how their ignorance.  Actually, the
posting may give some of you very useful information (just swap the
appropriate list name). Enjoy!

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