NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/comp/os/vms/21822

Internet Message Format | 1993-01-23 | 1.9 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!paladin.american.edu!darwin.sura.net!newsserver.jvnc.net!netnews.upenn.edu!netnews.noc.drexel.edu!duphy4.physics.drexel.edu!lane
From: [e-mail]
Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Subject: moderated vs. unmoderated: a modest proposal
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 23 Jan 93 12:13:29 GMT
Distribution: all
Organization: Drexel University Physics
Lines: 36

With regard to moderated/unmoderated, I have to say that I always prefer an
open forum, even if it gets a bit chaotic at times.  Also (knowing Carl
for many years) he would be a highly conciencous moderator, but it would
consume far too much of his time and effort.

So how do you get the VAX-neophytes to read the FAQ before posting?   How about
a "filtered" newsgroup, rather than moderated?  The idea is to make the
"moderator" a simple automaton, that does the following:

  o   It checks posts for a simple keyword, perhaps in the
      message header, perhaps in the sig.

  o   If the keyword is not present the message is bounced, and a copy of
      the FAQ sent to the poster automatically.

  o   If the keyword is present, the message is acknowledged and posted
      (or "approved" in netnews-speak).

  o   The FAQ, after explaining guidelines for "how to post" tells the
      newbie user the keyword.  If they can follow simple instructions,
      they'll have no problem.  It would certainly cut down on "where's
      the FAQ" and "how do I subscribe" posts.

I don't know if you're still running STmail there Carl, but a filter
like this is pretty easy to set up in STmail.

The proposal above is serious, but for fun you could make the keyword
"Kibo" :-)


--

 Drexel University       \V                     --Chuck Lane
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