Spiffy Dustin Goeller <stinky@azstarnet.com> 08/29/97 06:57am >>>

I'll take it that most people on this list really do not like Tybalt. 
Perhaps because he is so strict, and appears to lack any understanding 
what so ever. I dunno. I neither like nor dislike Tybalt. He's just 
there, looming over us, keeping a close watch, ready to ban someone
with 
the flick of the wrist. It is almost scary that one can have such power, 
but I am sure moderating is a pain. Particularly on a list this size. 

Actually, I rather like Tybalt.  Now, I don't know him personally, but I think
he's done a pretty good job at keeping the noise-to-signal ratio relatively
low.  As it is, I spend enough time wading through all the spam to get to
read actual fanfics (the rumored purpose of this list).  Now, don't get me
wrong, I generally don't mind spam much (I dont have mailbox size limits,
and it doesnt take that much time to delete it), but there have been times in
the past where its really gotten excessive.  Seems to me that it hasn't
gotten out of hand since Tybalt started moderating.  So I, for one,
appreciate his efforts.

As to the notion that useful threads shouldn't be banned, up to a point, I
agree.  However, I've noticed generally that threads that start as useful
last for, at most, 5-6 emails (not always the case) and any further
discussion usually repeats the content of the first several messages, just
in slightly differently shaded diction.  Plus, please remember that such
'useful' threads are not useful to everyone.  For example, this earthquake
thread that Tybalt recently banned was, I'm sure, interesting enough to
some, but I couldn't have cared less, and I'm sure others shared my
opinion on the matter.  Tybalt banned it, presumably, because it had little
or nothing to do with fanfics or commentary thereon (I dont mean to single
out the participants of that thread, btw, but I use them because that's a
very recent example).  As Tybalt suggests there is nothing preventing
any of us from taking anything said here to private emails.  If you are too
lazy to do that, don't blame Tybalt for your own lack of energy.  I mean, if
you can't be bothered to continue a thread in private email, what does
that say about the interest in or usefulness of the thread?

I apologize in advance if my tone is too harsh or if this seems like a flame. 
I don't intend it to be.  Again, spam doesn't usually bother me much (after
all, this message is entirely spam), but I think it's useful to remember that
belonging to this ML is a privilege, not a right.  If you don't like the rules,
you don't have to participate.  I think both White Wolf and Tybalt have
been quite open and permissive about what goes on here, and I, for one,
don't find the environment stifling at all.

Well, that's my $0.02.

tom