Hi Tom & all,
Tom, I think you're mistaken with one key point.
There isn't 2 lists here. There's a big list with a whole lot of people
interested in different stuff. And the overlaps are huge.
For example, I don't particularly get off on "roadster sightings", because
they're mainly US, and I'm in Australia. I do love the "had a great drive
today" stuff (I'm guilty of posting those a lot), because I don't have many
people to share my love of these cars with over here.
Furthermore, with so many tech-heads, general car lovers etc., the totally
OT stuff is often of interest as well.
Having said all that, I originally joined the list for the same reason as
you - to help keep my car running. And there's a wealth of knowledge &
technical assistance coming from the same guys who are also posting on
matters historical and social. Usually, a particular thread is quickly
identified as being of interest or not. Alternatively, there's the digest
format, which may be of more appeal to you.
Yes, the email piles up. I actually use a hotmail account specifically for
the list - makes life a little easier and doesn't clutter my business email.
If you have specific technical queries, I'm sure that there are plenty of
people here who wouldn't mind answering personal emails regarding them. I'm
sure that if that's the case, perhaps keeping a file of datsun gurus' email
addresses might be a better option for you than the list. But a purely
technical list is probably not going to happen. People are always going to
have their personality leak into their posts, as they should. Answers like
"oh, I tried this, but watch out if you've got long hair, it could hurt!"
can lead conversations anyware, just as they would if you got 20 guys
standing around a car with beer in their hands, commenting on it's problems.
Think of this list as a garage full of roadster maniacs, and it'll quickly
become more acceptable, I think.
Besides, once you're on the road, won't it be fun to meet up with the people
who helped you out? Or the people that want to thank you for your help?
And if so, wouldn't you use the list to organise such a get together?
And wouldn't that be a non-technical, social post?
I think the size of this group is it's strength, not it's weakness.
YMMV.
Cheers,
Steve
'68 2000 Solex
>From: Tom Stockman <ftuck@frii.com>
>Reply-To: Tom Stockman <ftuck@frii.com>
>To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: A long overdue apology
>Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 21:40:31 -0600 (MDT)
>
><Hey, reader, if you didn't see Paul's apology to the list, it's at
>the end of this post, and it's real important you see it if you want
>to understand my reply. Please read both his & my messages!>
>
>Paul, your email is very timely for me, thanks! I joined this list
>sometime in the mid-late-80s, and dropped off about '95...because
>of the exact problem you describe. I love your new analysis, that
>we really have two communities, one interested in tech stuff, one
>in social connection.
>
>I joined again a few weeks ago, as I'm about to get my Roadster
>running after a several-year-hiatus, and wanted to reconnect with
>the group & ask a few tech questions.
>
>The messages have about quadrupled. I've been fighting disbelief,
>horror, and condemnation. I logged on tonight to recover the instru-
>ction on how to unsubscribe. I'm interested in tech, not much at
>all in community (OK, a little interest here).
>
>I also had thoughts of starting a 'secret' by-invitation-only list
>of tech-heads, possibly moderated...by whom, I don't know, I don't
>want to spend the time!
>
>Paul, your description of our dilemna nailed what's going on with
>the list.
>
>How 'bout we establish an additional email list, and establish a
>few different customs for it? Like, only reply if you think you
>really have significant & new takes on a thread? Of course we'll
>see several-at-once replies saying the same thing, but if we set a
>few ground rules, like, we're looking for no more than 15 posts a
>day, questions should reveal that the poster has checked the online
>faqs, "roadster sighting" and "ebay/classified seen" and "OT" posters
>and "top down at last!" and "me too!" posters will be denied future
>access.
>
>Please excuse any excessive judgements on my part that are revealed
>by that last paragraph--and, is there an audience that's interested
>in a tech _not_ social email list?
>
>Dang, asking that last question puts it on the line. If I see much
>excitement in this idea, I'll a) put up a web page & collect "ayes"
>for that idea, and b) form a "subcommittee", set up a discussion
>forum, whatever--to establish conventions describing what's acceptable
>and what's not on that new list.
>
>Also--I have no personal investment in running the show--if someone
>else wants to, or if we want as a community to make a decision about
>how to set this up--cool!
>
>Guess I'll cancel my plans to unsubscribe for the moment. Post to
>the list if you think I'm being a butt--or if you like the idea--or
>if you have some well-thought-out other thoughts.
>
>Tom in Morrison, Colorado
>ftuck@frii.com
>67.5 1600...300K+ miles
>
>----Paul's original post, worth reading if you haven't yet:
>
> > Hi!
> >
> > This is something I've been meaning to do for a long time, and it's
> > about time I just did it.
> >
> > A while ago (several months) I sent a rather scathing email to the
> > list complaining about the number of non-Roadster related emails on
> > the list. What it did was generate a WHOLE lot of negative responses
> > and one positive one.
> >
> > I have since thought about this, and come to the conclusion that the
> > list is NOT primarily a tech-support list for our cars, but rather
> > more of a social gathering for Roadster owners. Therefore my
> > critical email was very much out of line and wrong. For that I
> > sincerely apologize.
> >
> > However, I DO think that my email REALLY reinforced the OT indicator
> > in the subject title, which I still REALLY appreciate and I'm sure I
> > also speak for those of us that use the list primarily as a
> > tech-support list and parts locator.
> >
> > Nevertheless, I sincerely apologize for my earlier outburst in a fit
> > of pique, and to be honest, since then I have ACTUALLY read some "OT"
> > messages!
> >
> > Anyway. 'nough said.
> >
> > Paul
_________________________________________________________________________
|