[Electronics-talk] Mac, etc.

[Christopher Chaltain]

According to the list's web page, ....

"This list is intended for the sharing of information about, and 
discussion of the accessibility of various consumer electronics devices. 
Sharing of information
about, and discussion of MP3 players; cell phones and other telephones; 
DVD players, receivers and other stereo and video components; satellite 
and HD
radios; and household appliances including microwaves, washers, dryers, 
stoves, and the like; is appropriate and encouraged. With more and more 
devices
having inaccessible controls or displays, a place to share information 
and experiences is needed. It is also hoped that this list will divert 
such discussions
from other NFB-sponsored lists, where it is not appropriate."

"This list will also on occasion carry announcements and/or information 
of importance to the NFB and its members and friends as a whole."

I guess it's up for interpretation, but I don't consider a PC to be "a 
consumer electronics device", and I'm OK with David--the 
moderator--making that call. I joined this list to hear about accessible 
consumer electronics, and I'll join other lists to talk about PC's.

Since David's post isn't included in the thread below, and I didn't 
bother to keep it, I can't speak to whether it could have been more 
polite with more please's and thank you's, but I don't recall seeing 
anything from David that was particularly rude. In general, I find David 
can be a it terse and to the point at times, but he almost always 
directs people to other sources of information when they're straying off 
topic. I also don't think he clamps down on off topic posts too quickly, 
which is good for a general purpose list like this. In conclusion, I've 
seen much worse moderators who were either too heavy handed or went to 
the other extreme and let the list deteriorate into off topic threads 
and flame wars.

I Do wonder what a list moderator can do to moderate the list without 
opening themselves up and the rest of the list to this debate and 
discussion every time they step in as the list moderator though. For my 
part, I'm happy letting David moderate his own list.

If this list is less cordial than other lists, I don't think it's the 
fault of the moderator. A moderator can only do so much to enforce 
civility on a list. I don't think we have anyone to blame but ourselves.

--

Christopher
chaltain at gmail.com


On 8/21/2010 7:53 AM, Steve P. Deeley wrote:
> Are you saying that a computer is not an electronic device??  That is 
> ridiculous.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Werner" 
> <craig_werner at verizon.net>
> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 8:46 AM
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Mac, etc.
>
>
>> Twenty-four years of online experience teaches me that sending "I agree"
>> messages are poor etiquette, but I'm going to post one anyway.
>>
>> I agree with Peter:  I suggest that an occasional foray into discussion
>> of computers is not uncalled for.  If this were a high-volume list, and
>> if such messages proliferated, then I would probably change my mind.
>> However, as matters with this list stand now, I fail to see the harm or
>> inconvenience caused by well-meaning posts such as those Ray has sent
>> out about the Mac.  In fact, they are potentially instructive and 
>> helpfull.
>>
>> Craig
>>
>> On 8/21/2010 5:31 AM, Peter Rabaioli wrote:
>>> With notable exceptions, there is a lack of cordiality in general by 
>>> the
>>> participants on this list.  Ray was kind enough to answer a couple of
>>> questions about using a Mac as a happy user of such a device, which, 
>>> to me
>>> is an electronic device.  Perhaps keeping bafoons such as  Dewey's 
>>> rants off
>>> the air, would be more in line in the role  of the list moderator, than
>>> deciding weather, or not a computer is a part of tech gear. Thank 
>>> you for
>>> the suggestion for looking at another list for computer use.    I've 
>>> seen
>>> much more  off topic items listed here.   A few more please and 
>>> thank you's
>>> would lift the general level of communication here.  Just my humble 
>>> opinion.
>>> All the best, and, thanks again to Ray.  Best, Peter 
>