P3D Re: List use & blocking/deblocking algorithms

["Greg Wageman" <gjw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

From: Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>


>Sounds like a personal problem?  Perhaps it is... But, please, do not
>degrade the list by asking instructions from the list on how to block
>other list members.  This is a discussion list.  If you are too busy
>or simply uninterested to read other people's opinions, consider the
>digest mode (like most do).


I find the filtration idea a bit bothersome, too.  It's kind of like
being at a party in a room with lots of people, circulating from
conversation to conversion, and discovering that certain individuals
simply will not listen to anything you say, in fact completely fail to
acknowledge your existence, and just go on with whatever they were
saying to the other people.  It would be unpardonably rude in a social
situation.  I fail to see what makes it less rude in a discussion list.
Filtering "spam" is one thing; filtering content from a list to which
one has deliberate subscribed is... annoying.

Nevertheless, the most amusing thing about this whole affair was that
the would-be filterer asked this very group for help in setting up a
filter... of this group!

Now, of course, come the counter-measures.  Every message should have a
completely nonsensical "Subject" line, and we must change it somewhat
with each reply so that a thread cannot be quashed in this fashion.
Alternatively, use a "Subject" that is so generic (like "stereo
question") that ALL messages activate the filter, rendering it useless.
Be sure to quote known-filtered list members in their entirety when
replying.  "There is no problem that cannot be solved with suitable
application of high explosives."

Filters are for cigarettes.

     -Greg W. (gjw@xxxxxxxxxx)



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