[Tutor] META: Moderation and subscription to the tutor list

[boB Stepp]

On Sun, May 1, 2016 at 12:35 AM,  <cs at zip.com.au> wrote:
> On 01May2016 14:18, Steven D'Aprano <steve at pearwood.info> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Alan,
>>
>> I thought I'd mention that the list-owners of "python-list" have now
>> decided to only allow people to post if they are subscribed to the list:
>>
>> https://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-list/2016-April/707571.html
>>
>> The motivation is to ensure that if people ask a question, and people
>> reply only to the list, the original poster has at least a chance of
>> seeing the replies.
>>
>> Of course, in the case of python-list, non-subscribers can just use the
>> Usenet interface (comp.lang.python, or Google Groups, or gmane). But
>> anyone using Usenet is presumably savvy enough to check for replies
>> using Usenet.
>>
>> What's your policy here on the tutor list? I think we should require
>> subscription before people can post. (And I think we should default to
>> individual emails, not daily digest.)
>
>
> I am not Alan, but personally I am +0.8 and +1 on these.
>
> I think requiring subscription ensures that users see responses. I don't
> know if tutor is already like that, and requiring subscription _does_ raise
> the bar for people coming for help. I would hope that any "please subscribe
> in order to post" list responses to newcomers was both welcoming and very
> clear on how to do it.

I am in agreement with this as well.  I have often wondered if
newcomers are subscribed or not as after subscription one receives a
very helpful email which addresses most of the common post formatting
issues that we seem to endlessly rehash.  Or perhaps I am one of the
few who actually read it upon subscribing?

I wonder no matter which way the current matter gets decided, if it
might be time to rewrite the automated response email.  I just got one
(again) after sending a different post and looking it over, it is
overly long and wordy, perhaps discouraging newcomers from actually
reading it?  Also, I note that the verboten "top posting" is never
mentioned.  It probably should be added.  I feel that the interleaved
writing style employed by many lists is completely foreign to
newcomers to programming.

> There seems to me a subjectly large number of very short threads with a
> question from someone, a couple of responses from list members, and no
> further reply.

> Finally, I would like to see digest simply not offered. They are a disaster.
> They break subject lines, threading and bury responses in noise.

+ infinity!

-- 
boB