Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 11:06:02 EST From: tINK blots Subject: FILLER: Message ("Daily message threshold (200) exceeded for list...") To: Multiple recipients of list WRITERS At Mon, 3 Feb 1997 23:48:07 -0500, "L-Soft list server at MITVMA (1.8b)" said: -Daily message threshold (200) exceeded for list WRITERS. The list has been -held and will stop processing messages until a "FREE WRITERS" command is -received from you. The list has already been freed, but it seems we may need to review our situation here for the benefit of newcomers (HI! Welcome to the padded cells!) and forgetful oldsters. (c'est moi! I think. Although, I'm not so sure that I remember it now.) This is not usenet, IRC, etc. There are 200 (*that's two hundred*) messages per day in our quota. There are just over 1000 names in the membership list today. Strictly speaking, that means each member's daily allotment is just 0.2 messages per day. I.e., one message every five days. Instead of trying to be pharisaical about the rules, though, let me suggest that we focus on writing. (yes, pharisaical is a bona fide word. it has to do with the pharisees, who could see great distances by standing on their rule books...look it up if you don't believe me) Think about what you are saying when you write your postings, spend a little extra time to polish and make them true examples of your art and craft, and consider your audience. That diamond you're about to post might look better with the right setting, eh? So spend the time to put it in the right setting. Collect several small pieces into one good piece. Consider whether this really belongs on the list or can be handled by private email. Think about how you would respond if you were on the receiving end of your own mail... Consider possibly wielding the weapon that is nothing, and not responding--let your "attacker" stumble over the lack of resistance, as you step aside and let them run right on past... or as I put it in the FAQ: [brnnng? brnnng? brnnng? excuse me while I see who that is. hello? Oh, I see. Some people don't seem to know that we have a limit, and you thought you'd just interrupt the show to tell them? Okay, but make it fast... We only have a limited number (200) of messages each day. This means that flamewars, unlimited chat, and similar variations can shut the list down fairly easily. For this reason, and because you are writers who should think before simply flooding communications, the management (that's me!) does ask that you try to follow some of the simple guidelines to make your communications effective. Some of the most critical of these are simply "think before you post" along with "think of your audience". In any case... If you have a web browser, you might like to look at http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/faqs/f026461.txt >or FAQ: A Preliminary List of Sparks and Irritants http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/faqs/w21535.txt >or FAQ: Assorted Rules! (was: Re: Practice Safe Postings) http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/writers/t032486.txt >or TECH: Making the Most of Posting http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/writers/t012448.txt >or In Praise of Having Opinions http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/writers/fill950311.txt >or FILLER: Expectations... http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/writers/fill951116.txt >or FILLER: A Tasteful Proposal: Post Your Best http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/writers/fill951205.txt >or FILLER: List Abuse and Great Writing for other discussions and considerations somewhere about this region. *****And in late-breaking news of the bits, we find that the automatic reply address now is set to return to sender, address wellknown... so when you hit reply, check the address if you want to tell the list all about it!***** we now return you to your irregularly scheduled bemusement and other blinders:-] Remember, one good piece stands out, while a flood of pieces just drowns the reader... So make your piece your best, not just part of a flood. And when all else fails--light a candle to guide us home through the storm. Write. tink