From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Wed Jun 13 13:57:32 2001
Subject:OT Posts

All,

Some of you have expressed the opinion that since the piano thread
generated a lot of discussion, such threads should be allowed to die of
"old age." Because it generated a lot of response, I elected to let it run
for a period of time, but such threads can't go on indefinitely, without
making a change in the charter, which is why I reeled it in. The current
list is for the discussion of Hammond clones and related topics; it is NOT
a general purpose musical instrument discussion list -- at least not at
this point. Read the charter, if you think I'm mistaken.

As far as the amount of discussion, I've always felt that this group is
here when people need questions answered, and there is no requirement to
see traffic every day. I belong to several lists whose traffic level is
often less than a message per day, but that's fine with me. I'd rather get
no mail from the group on occasion, than have to filter through tons of
mail to find the items I'm really interested in. Hammond clones is a
niche, no doubt about it, and that means that discussions will also move
toward the niche level.

OT posts can become a "slippery slope" situation. If we allow piano
discussions indefinitely, what about Fender Stratocaster discussions -- are
they valid, if the majority of the group has something to say on the
topic? What about Chevy Camaro posts, or a discussion of the pros and cons
of sequencer programs, or PC vs. Mac. vs. Linux, or even talks about
finding a good dentist? Any of these topics may have information that is
useful to a large section of the group, but that criterion alone doesn't
determine a topic's validity. What should guide the discussions is the
reason for the group's being; i.e., the charter.

OT posts, by definition, say, "I know I'm not supposed to really bring this
up here, but ..." A certain level of them is OK by me, but after a while,
they begin to take on a selfish flavor; i.e., "I know what YOU came here to
talk about, but we're not going to do that today."

If anyone wants to change the charter to include all keyboards, then bring
the request up to the group as a vote. That way, each member can choose to
participate or drop out as he/she chooses.

Just my $0.02.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions"
www.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group moderator
978.386.7389 voice
978.964.0547 fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com