[bksvol-discuss] Re: Message/List Control

Hi Evan,

Not Donna, but awhile back Lisa Friendly posted to the list asking that we 
try to keep the bks-vol-discuss list for volunteer topics.  She mentioned 
that we could use the bookshare-discuss list for any discussions, but said 
something to the effect that she did not want volunteers to be discouraged 
from joining the list because of too much off-topic traffic.

Hope thhis helps,

Sue S.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Estelnalissi
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:44 PM
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Message/List Control


Hi, Donna, I am afraid that I must disagree with your message.

I think that whether or not a particular person is getting more messages 
than they would like is a purely subjective matter. I do not believe that 
others should stop posting to accommodate their personal preferences.

Monica has already pointed out several ways of dealing with lots of messages 
more efficiently, including monitoring and deleting of threads, and sending 
messages to various folders so they can be read when it is more convenient. 
Certainly no one should feel obligated to read every message from any list. 
I make liberal use of the delete key and ignore whole threads of 
conversation. A little time spent up front with one's email program can save 
a lot of time and aggravation later. When a person encounters a new thread, 
they can read the first message or two, then decide whether or not to read 
any further postings.

In other words: The actual number of messages one receives is not relevant. 
What is relevant is how those messages are processed by the recipient

I like the list the way it is. And, I do keep up with it, but I do not spend 
all day doing so.

Evan

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Donna Smith
  To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 9:06 AM
  Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Message/List Control


  Well, it seems that it is that time again when the list gets way out of 
control with over a hundred messages a day.  You can tell because some 
faithful member who is just trying to keep up, posts something like "When 
are you scanning?" in an attempt to slow it all down.  When other equally 
faithful list members don't recognize such a message as a plea for judicious 
use of list space, then it's time to get specific.



  I actually saved my last very specific message on this topic with the 
intent of just reposting it as needed as this issue comes around as 
regularly as tax season, but it was pretty bitchy, so I thought I'd write 
another one instead.  <smile>



  Here are the important points:



    a.. We're all volunteers who are very dedicated and most of us have 
other life interests (e.g., jobs, families, pets, commitments in the 
community, etc.)
    b.. We all enjoy the comradery of the list and being able to exchange 
information.
    c.. When the volume of message gets high enough to make someone cry 
"uncle," it is no longer an exchange of information but an unruly dump of 
messages that most of us can't possibly read through.
    d.. Two reactions begin to occur:  A. Faithful volunteers choose to 
unsubscribe, thus denying the rest their valuable input; or B. Faithful 
volunteers delete everything with a list subject line just to find personal 
messages even though this creates concern that we may be missing something 
of importance.


  The solution?



  A little self restraint!  Please take personal messages off list, and keep 
the OT messages down to a minimum.  In fact, during such a time when list 
traffic is high, it would be prudent to not post OT messages at all.



  It's all about balance and respecting the time of others.  We all do it 
and we all get lax about doing it and then we get a reminder to be mindful 
again and we do it.  We're really a pretty respectful group.



  So what do you say?  Can we cut back the list flow and find that happy 
medium again?



  Donna S

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