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Re: rec.aquaria.freshwater.plants
Steve Pushak writes:
> will you be reading the aquatic plant NewsGroup?
For now, yes. If the traffic reaches 50 or so articles a day (and my
gut feel is that that it will, in about three months), I'll be scanning it,
just as I used to scan the *.aquaria newsgroups, without reading much.
> do you figure you'll have the time to read both the newsgroup
> and the list?
At current traffic levels, yes. If the newsgroup and the list grow,
probably not.
> would you promise to update the newsgroup with the valuable
> contributions that you make here on the APD for those who
> might feel they cannot afford the time to read both?
IMO, there is no getting away from the fact that the newsgroup will be
a more beginner-oriented forum. Even if the entire mailing list moved
over, we would be vastly outnumbered by the newbies. If the mailing list
keeps its current character of being a nerd watering hole, I am not
sure that there will be much need for cross-posting.
> do you plan to post questions to both the newsgroup and to
> the APD list just so you can be sure to reach the people who are
> going to be exclusive to one or the other?
Making the mailing list a mirror of the newsgroup will make the mailing
list unusable because of high traffic. But I'd cross-post some articles,
depending on their content.
> could you get by if we only had the newsgroup?
I used to think so. I'm not sure any more. There is just too much
noise on newsgroups. There is also too much traffic. As I said
earlier, I think the traffic on the newsgroup will reach 50 articles a
day in short order. The standard newsgroup response is to split, but that's
not what I want. I want lower traffic, but wide-ranging discussion.
Maybe region-based newsgroups would be better than splitting.
> would only having the newsgroup actually be kind of nice for you?
I don't think so. I believe the newsgroup has a very useful purpose,
and that's why I voted for it. I view it as primarily a mechanism for
helping beginners. (Only time will tell for sure, that's why I suggest
taking a wait-and-see approach for a while).
> would you change your mind if the APD continues to double in
> volume at the current rate?
If volume is a problem (and I think it already is) then those that
want the mailing list to survive need to fix it. Enough people
may leave for the newsgroup, making this a non-issue. If traffic remains
at current levels, or increases, the list may need to be closed to
new members, and would-be subscribers encouraged to start their own
mailing lists. I see no reason why multiple mailing lists and newsgroups,
each with its own character, cannot coexist. We are here to enjoy a
hobby, not to compete.
Personally, I'd like to see the mailing list closed to new
subscribers right now.
-Shaji
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Shaji Bhaskar, Durham, North Carolina shaji at nando_net