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[OM] [OT] For Sale and Off-topic Messages

Subject: [OM] [OT] For Sale and Off-topic Messages
From: "Chris O'Neill" <coneill@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 21:00:28 -0600
Just some not-so-random ramblings about some recent points of 
discussion on the list.  If it isn't of interest to you, please hit the delete 
key.

FOR SALE MESSAGES

Again without commenting on the specific message that started the 
debate, I'd like to make the following personal observations.  Please 
keep in mind that these are MY PERSONAL OPINION.  If you disagree, 
that's fine and dandy.  I'll recognize your right to your personal opinion if 
you'll recognize my right to mine.

1.  The person who posted the "[FS]" message had every right to do so 
and to price his item as he saw fit.

2.  The people who posted messages commenting on the "fairness" of 
the price (both positive AND negative) ALSO had a right to do so.

Now, BEFORE anyone jumps on that statement, let me say that one 
might disagree with the tone or choice of words used in certain 
messages (both pro AND con), but one can't disagree with peoples' 
right to point out that the asking price, in their opinion, is reasonable or 
not.  UNLESS, of course, there's an "unspoken" rule that comments 
(both pro AND con) on the asking price aren't allowed.

3.  Messages that attack another list member or contain words that can 
obviously insult or hurt the feelings of another list member AREN'T fair 
ball.  In other words, comments like "don't be stupid" or "that's the 
silliest thing I've ever heard" or "take your dumb opinions somewhere 
else" are ALL inappropriate.

4.  This lengthy discussion COULD have been avoided if there was a 
clear and concise FAQ or some other mechanism for spelling out "The 
Rules" so that everyone knows what they are instead of having to 
debate them. 

5.  Someone recently suggested (and someone else agreed) on the 
following set of "rules" regarding for sale messages:

A)    They are clearly identified as FS posts so those who have no 
interest can ignore them.  

B)    The poster clearly identify if they are an individual or dealer.  

C)   The be adds for Olympus or Olympus compatible (after market 
lenses, ect) items ONLY.

D)    A given add is only placed once.   

That works for me, although I personally don't think "B" is important.  
So, if that's "The Rule" let's get it in a FAQ and posted, or SOMETHING 
so that we can avoid this lengthy debate in the future!

OFF-TOPIC MESSAGES

Some people have said they'd rather have a pile of for sale messages 
than one "off-topic" message.  As well, several people have said they're 
sick and tired of off-topic messages.

While I don't disagree with those points of view, and I too sometimes 
find some of the discussions uninteresting and a waste of time to wade 
through, what REALLY aggrevates me are the following kinds of 
messages:

1.  People who reply on-list to a message that clearly states "please 
reply off-list."  (Can't people read????)

2.  People who post messages saying "that message was off-topic... 
take it off-list."  (Couldn't that have been sent off-list too????)

3.  People who include 50 lines of quoted message in their reply with "I 
agree with that" or some other one-liner as the only new content.  (That 
could have been sent off-list too!  Or if you must post it to the list, at 
least trim down the quotes a bit!)

4.  People who (IMHO) purposely try to provoke an argument or hurt 
someone's feelings.  (See #3 under FOR SALE MESSAGES above)

The above comments are NOT aimed at any specific individual, but are 
general in nature.  In other words, if you feel the shoe fits, then I 
suppose you're wearing it, but *I* didn't say so!

Regards,

Chris

---
I'm *not* a Zuikoholic....  I'm a Zuikohobbiest!
Chris O'Neill (coneill@xxxxxxxxxxx)
http://www.nucleus.com/~coneill

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