Fixing misc@

["Scott Sandeman-Allen (RSCorp)" <scott@rscorp.ab.ca>]

For those that believe things could be improved (an example would be
individuals sensitive to "signal-to-noise" ratio) , I submit this
message. Hopefully this will help a resolve a couple of things so we can
move on. 

A few options that I see are listed below. Others have been suggested
and I'm sure more can be solicited besides the ones sure to be
volunteered. 

My top _suggestions_ are:

    The official website contain more "getting started" links.
        I have since found a bunch that would have helped me.
    
    The newbie list be identified/supported by the official site
        with clear language directing "recent adopters" there.
    
    Newbies@ post a FAQ 'update' regularly with links to resources.
    
    Refine misc@ description on official website i.e.:
        "Detailed questions and informed answers. For experienced
        sysadmins, researched questions only. (and maybe users referred 
        by the newbies@ list). Post only after reading the FAQ etc.
        Abusers will be reprimanded, removed or black-listed."
        
        Note: I'm sure some would like me to be on that list ;-)
        
    Poorly formed questions be firmly but politely re-directed
        i.e. "Unsuitable question for misc@ please RTFM then re-post
            a detailed question to newbies@" WITH NO EMBELISHMENTS. 
        This could be a form letter containing a list of links. 
            I would be happy to help compose this reply. List members
            could then filter the form directly to Pluto.
        Repeat offenders should be contacted _off_ list and 
            possibly blacklisted. Sorry, "Tarred and feathered"
            is not a real option.
        
    Check your bunsen at the door: "flames = spam" IMO
        Adopting a "no flame zone" would be nice - a guy can dream ;-)
    
    An FAQ-omatic form that remarkably looks like a list/faq search
        form would be cool. Label it "Instant answers here" and link it 
        to google.com/bsd or one of the archives ;-)
       
    A slight re-design of how the mailing list page is organized would
        help re-direct some 'recent adopters'. I can already hear the 
        "who reads README's" comments. Save 'em, thanks.
    
As a group, we can easily refine a few of the issues with a couple
judicious up-stream fixes. Many in less time than it took me to write
this or to read your "informed" replies.

I'm sure others will pipe in with their opinions/suggestions too... now,
where is that ceramic-suit anyway.

Thanks for your time, interest and opinions,

Scott

PS. Like the other thread I started, it is unlikely that I will reply to
subsequent messages unless specifically asked to. I've done enough
stirring for a while.