Split the list? List the split? 5 different lists are now nessesary?
Temporary shutdown for overpopulation? A missing wolf? Yelling? Flaming?
ANd this thread was only 3 days old?

I started it.  Blame me.

This must have been festering in a lot of people's mind to have
escalated so quickly.

No, I think it's just a sore spot as well as a subject a lot of 
people are bound to have strong opinions on.

Now then, the major issue here is spam, correct?

No.  The major issue (as I understand it from your description) is 
not that there is too much spam on the current FFML, although that 
could be argued.  The major issue is this, as I see it:

*  A new fan comes to the list with grand notions of learning how to 
    write, posting his fic to the FFML at large, and getting 
    constructive C&C on it.  He or she is almost invariably 
    disappointed, because people are too busy reading the fics of the 
    authors they know already, rather than spending a little time on 
    those and a little time on the "unkown" authors.

*  Some people (like most of this list, apparently) would rather see 
    all the fanfics posted and C&C and discuss them than have any 
    large amount of spam on the list to clog traffic.  OTHERS 
    (like me; although I hope I'm *not* alone in this) wouldn't 
    mind posting to a more limited venue (say maybe 100 subbers 
    instead of 400+?) if it gave the unknown authors a chance too.  
    By that, I mean that people would likely not have all of the 
    "known" authors on their particular list, and would spend only 
    some of their free time reading knowns, and the rest taking a 
    chance (and possibly C&Cing) the unknowns.

*  As above, some people would rather the amount of spam on the 
    current FFML be reduced.  Others (like me; and again, I hope I'm 
    *not* alone in this) would prefer more socializing (which means 
    spam), but on a smaller list so that people would be more likely 
    to get to know one another, there being relatively few faces to 
    meet and talk to (and remember, and keep track of!) rather than 
    prohibitively many.

*  Some would prefer that all the fanfics get posted to one list.  
    Others (like me) suggested a well-organized archive site where 
    sublist subbers could go if they wanted to read their favorite 
    author's pieces (which the author would store there when he 
    posted them to the list), or browse for more reading material if 
    he or she had free time left over after dealing with his or her 
    own sublist's mail.

* Some would prefer the FFML not be split up, because of crossposting 
    issues, personality wars, and so on.  Others (like me) are 
    willing to try this experiment, since the original FFML need not 
    be touched; rather, sub-FFML's can be created on my own account.  

These are the issues, as I see them.

HOWEVER, knowing that my proposals haven't gotten hardly any positive 
response whatsoever, and that only in the form of alternate split 
proposals, I'm not saying that I'm *going* to implement the sublists. 
 In fact, it probably won't happen at all.  But if there *is* a 
significant interest in splitting the list (leaving the current FFML 
intact, though), I'd be willing to contribute resources toward the 
most popular split proposal, _even if it wasn't the one I'm proposing 
now_.

I really am interested in doing what the FFML at large wants.  I'm 
not in this for selfish, personal gain, control, money, or anything 
else like that.  I hope I'm making that perfectly clear.

Well then I check and. . .

. . .okay. 237 messages, index with 10 stories, 5 personal, 11 business,
2 classes, 209 spam threads. Hm... it looks like it boils down to two
types of the disgruntled subscribers: Those who tire of deleting spam
messages, and those whose servers can't handle the load of messages,
like HOTMAIL users.

This most recent spam thread doesn't count.  Observing the list, as 
it were, changes what the observable quantity is.  In making this 
suggestion that was bound to be a sore spot with many, as well as 
something a lot of people would have strong opinions on, I knew it 
would create a huge spam thread.  If you wanted to observe the 
_usual_ spam content of the list, you'd have to take your sample from 
about a week ago, before this thread started.  And you can easily do 
that by checking the archives, I'm pretty sure.

Both of these people types are adamantly steadfast in the belief that
they shouldn't have to sort through spam to get fanfictions of this
list. I too find it annoying, but this list is not only for fanfictions
as I see it. It has grown to be quite a bit more social than from what
its first purpose was, which is to be accepted with the huge volume of
people.

Actually, it started out being much more social, and gradually 
decreased.  That was my original claim.  You can take a look at the 
early archived material to see this, if you want.

This is unfortunate for those who have such limited email serverspace
that still want to be a part, for several of the Free mail servers have
almost no mail space (the least ive seen is only 200k.)

I've heard about those.  And I pity the users.  Of the two reasonable 
split proposals I've seen (I'm including my own and Eric's, I think 
his name is), both would reduce incoming mail by one method or 
another.  Any split would benefit them.

But my nasty sadistic side keeps saying-- Hey, you get what you pay for.

Rather than saying that, I would consider that most of the free 
subbers can't afford to pay for their net connection.

>From what I understand, this list was developed for draft version
reviews of fanfiction.

No, I think it was developed to be that, as well as a forum where the 
participants could interact in a number of ways, one being C&C and 
discussion of fics.  Another, of course, being socializing (spam).

TO those who seek no spam, May I point out
something?

R.A.A.C.

Nothing but fanfiction, with the exception of the generated FAQ. This
moderated list is for exactly what most who want to split the list are
asking for. No spam.

That is NOT what I'm asking for.

At this rate, if argueing continues, lines will be drawn between the
rooted veterans, the ferverous newbies, and the moderates who just like
stories will be crushed in the middle if one or the other dominates
enough to get the list shut down. I've seen this division too many times
in good organisations like A Dojo, and Drum&Bugel Corps I've been a part
of.

Again, the FFML doesn't have to be touched to try out any of the 
split proposals.  Perhaps you either haven't yet read my offer of 
hosting one or two small sub-lists, or you missed it in all of the 
traffic.

Damon Casale, damoo@carmelnet.com
Spam, spam!  WONDERFUL spam!  ^_^