The behaviors which can emerge from a mailing list range from the
inspiring to the infuriating. In general, the Golden Rule works as well in
cyberspace as it does in real space. And while you may be enthusiastic
about some point or another, graphic illustrations and other forms of
rhetorical strategy might serve only to make people feel bullied and
unwilling to share their pearls of wisdom with us.
And, while you may have a lot to say, please refrain from posting thousand-line
messages to the list, unless they are immediately relevant to the subject
under discussion. You can _always_ post the URL, leaving the list subscribers
the option retrieving such a momentous piece of work to another, more
appropriate time.
Rather than having each of you introducing yourselves to the entire list,
may we suggest that you mail some biographical information about yourselves
to list moderator Brian Behlendorf (brian@wired.com). He is maintaining
a biographical archive of list members which we'd like to grow and use as an
important resource. If you care to pass along a URL to a personal Web page,
he'll integrate that, as well.
This is a technical list; most of the time the talk should be technical.
While certain debates are expected (any discussion of languages foments
strong opinions in people), it is generally wiser to reserve comment until
after the essence of the argument has been framed; otherwise, debates can
meander over epistemological terrain without covering the subject at hand.
Finally, while list moderators rarely need to bare their teeth in the
performance of their duty, it should be said that the moderators are here to
facilitate a clear discussion of the issues, and will not tolerate persistent
disruptions in that process.
Thank you and welcome to the list.
Mark Pesce (mpesce@netcom.com)
Brian Behlendorf (brian@wired.com)