OFF: "Helpful tips for BOC users - serious mail"

[Jon Jarrett]

On Sat, 12 Jan 2002, Michael W Blackman wrote:

> If you find non related topics bothersome to your inbox try this
>
> in the BOC registry
> http://listserv.spc.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=boc-l&A=1
>
> >>scroll down the page once you have arrived there <<
>
> you will see a check box that says >>> Other (messages with unknown topic)
>
> If you unselect this check box (( click on it so there is no arrow ))
>
> you will only recieve posts that are related eg: HW - BOC - ADMIN - brain -
> NIK
>
> try it
>
> its easy - painless - and some will find that their tubes of preperation H
> will go much further thus saving money.... Whatever that means - I'm not sure

        You don't really have the idea yet, do you? When the good Mr
Gilham informed you that this was not a chat room he was not messing you
about. You keep calling it a chat list, but it's not. And only the most
uptight would mind a little deviation from strict topic, but I myself like
BOC-L for its content, the information, the things I learn. Also the
things that make me laugh. Almost everyone who posts to the list provides
one or the other. Can you please learn one of them at least (hint: I don't
think Python quotes or toilet humour really enhance things much)?

        I enclose below an old message from the good Mr Ben Cohen who
presumably blocked <michelangelo68 at ozemail.au.com> a long time ago and
posted you something similar anyway, but because I care (!) here it
is (again). It's do to with what OFF is as far as this list goes. Please
please take it on board. Yours,
                                Jon

On Mon, 26 Apr 1999, Ben Cohen wrote:
>
> Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 09:23:43 -0400
> From: Ben Cohen <ben at ST-CANARD.SPC.EDU>
> Reply-To: BOC/Hawkwind Discussion List <BOC-L at LISTSERV.SPC.EDU>
> To: Multiple recipients of list BOC-L <BOC-L at LISTSERV.SPC.EDU>
> Subject: ADMIN: What's "off-topic" really there for?
>
> Note - in the moderator's opinion (that's me, folks, in case anyone forgot...
> :-), this is probably the best summary of what's ok for off-topic discussions.
> I think one other factor is that they're generally for things that are not
> considered serious topics somewhere else, so major, world-shaking,
> news-breaking events, usually don't get consideration here since there's
> probably already at least 1 other place where they would be better discussed.
>
> Anyone who didn't read this when it came around should take a moment and do
> so... [Heck, even if you did read it the first time around, give it another
> shot. :-)]
>
> Ben Cohen,
> Moderator, BOC-L
>
> >My understanding of the "off-topic" was that it was a musical one so
> >that the occasional non Hawkwind or BOC related bands could be chattered
> >about for a few messages without raising dust from folk complaining that
> >a new discussion group ought to be formed or that the talk should be
> >taken off-line or whatever.   This was also extended to cover topics
> >that only tenuously related to the bands.    However I think it was the
> >general understanding that discussion on off-topics should (a) be
> >restricted to only a few messages (b) that generally speaking it should
> >relate, however tenuously, to aspects of music or to the bands in
> >question and (c) if the discussion went on at any length it should be
> >taken off-list to be continued elsewhere.
> >
> >This has in practice meant the occasional fascinating observations on
> >all sorts of topics ranging from warfare through philosophy and religion
> >and politics, social and economic studies and heaven knows what.
> >There are occasions where off-topic discussions have gone on for such
> >length that they have almost taken over the list.   But this is
> >rare.   Mostly when someone asks for a topic to be moved then the
> >discussion shifts elsewhere.
>



--
"I recognise that I have transgressed many of the precepts of the divine
law, and that I am subjected by various vices and iniquities, disobedient
to the words of the divine mystery brought unto me and a worshipper of the
delights of this military age." Marquis Borrell of Barcelona, 955 A.D.

             (Jonathan Jarrett, Birkbeck College London)