Mailinglist Archives:
Infrared
Panorama
Photo-3D
Tech-3D
Sell-3D
MF3D

Notice
This mailinglist archive is frozen since May 2001, i.e. it will stay online but will not be updated.
<-- Date Index --> <-- Thread Index --> [Author Index]

Re: How to start a 3D mailing list for non-technical 3D.


  • From: P3D John W Roberts <roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Subject: Re: How to start a 3D mailing list for non-technical 3D.
  • Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 12:17:28 -0400


>Date: Fri, 2 May 1997 22:33:44 -0500
>From: P3D  <clifford@xxxxxxxx>
>Subject: How to start a 3D mailing list for non-technical 3D.

>Just curious....how does one go about starting a list like [P3D]? I am
>interested in creating a 3d photography list for people who just want to
>point and shoot, for people who don't want technical info, just a
>non-technical list where nobody needs to stick to threads and nobody has to
>feel out of place just because they use a Loreo or some other plaything.

>Lenticular throwaways for instance......

[Caution: meta-discussion ahead - JR]

The most common way would be to start with a fairly high-bandwidth Internet
connection, and a machine running Unix (which could be as simple as a fairly
high performance PC compatible running Linux), then get a copy of
List Processor [that's one word - split in case an anti-loop filter is
listening] or Majordomo, spend maybe a week or so getting familiar with
the intricacies of managing a list (there are many ways to do it wrong -
it's really highly advisable to make sure you know what you're doing),
register your machine's address for the convenience of the subscribers
(unless it's somebody else's machine that's already registered), then open
for business with some name like 3d-lite@xxxxxxxxxx

Now since you have very exacting requirements for what can be posted, you're
going to have to go to full moderation - you will have to personally inspect
each submitted message to make sure it meets the requirements before passing
it on to distribution. It would be courteous to send explanations along with
the rejection notes that you send to posters of unacceptable messages, as a
guide so they will know not to offend again:
 - "I'm sorry, but that post was too technical for me to understand - please
   take your business elsewhere."
 - "Regrettably, somebody else posted on that topic a few days ago - this
   could be construed as following a thread. Please wait a week and resubmit
   it."
 - "The fancy equipment you describe made me feel inadequate. Please go away."
 - "You shouldn't have written those nasty things about Lily Langtry - I mean
   Loreos and Lenticulars." [apologies to Judge Roy Bean :-)]

If your mailing list becomes popular, then of course you're going to get
behind in your moderation, maybe a week or so ordinarily and more when you
go on vacation, like the fully-moderated predecessor to P3D did. That will
limit the ability to carry on discussions, but since you don't intend to allow
threads (discussions) anyway, that won't really be a handicap.

The main problem I foresee is that if you don't allow threads, discussion of
fancy equipment or technical details, all the posts are going to be on the
order of "Wowie kazowie! I just took some lenticulars with my disposable
camera, and man do they look great!" - that's fine for a few weeks, but it
might tend to get a little monotonous after a while.

.......

But seriously, I proposed a few months ago that a much simpler and lower-volume
list be set up in parallel to P3D, T3D and S3D, specifically for beginners
who may want to get their 3D in smaller doses, and with not quite so much
technical material. After they've learned their way around, and if they like
what they see, they can go on to the higher volume and more technical lists.
The consensus at the time was that there's not much need for that - let 'em
drink from the firehose of P3D right from the start, and if they want an
education before that, Web pages can handle the job.

Your post seems to indicate that there might be interest in a beginner's
list after all. One question though - I can see how you might want to
emphasize simple equipment and non-technical posts. But what have you got
against threads? Do you really want every post to be unrelated to every
other post?

I think P3D as it now exists is a great forum for general 3D information and
discussion. I agree that condescension toward the simpler equipment can
sometimes get a little heavy, but remember that you don't have to agree with
everybody's opinion just because they posted it.

John R


------------------------------