"Kimberly Long" <rex!usis.com!siberia> writes:
> I hope I am not being perceived as argumentative by furthering this
> discussion. I am simply am trying to understand all thoughts on this
> issue. :-)
>
> In regards to your example, wouldn't your regular subscribers get
> tired of seeing repeated requests: "send me info about New Orleans"
> from people that are not subscribers to the list? I would suspect
> that you have developed a (I always want to put "an" in front of FAQ,
> it just sounds better) FAQ for your list. Wouldn't your subscribers
> be better served by a deflection of repeated requests? You could
> even set up an infobot to automatically reply to what would appear to
> be a rather common question thereby improving your S/N ratio on your
> list.
I do indeed have a FAQ for the list, so I use the reply to the non-subscriber
to let them know where that is. That in itself is a service to many on the
list, since so many newbies don't read the "welcome" message that they receive
when they subscribe. They are either unaware of how to get the FAQ or they've
forgotten. Most of the requests tend to be more specific than "send me info
about New Orleans," so I try to turn a negative (repeated questions) into a
positive (fodder for discussion among regulars). For example, Jane
Non-subscriber sends a message that reads something like: "I'm coming to town
on such-and-such a date. What are some good places to eat?" I'll post some
suggestions, and, if I'm feeling particularly devilish, I'll make one or two
of those suggestions someplace that will spark controversy amongst the
regulars. A discussion on the relative merits of the restaurants ensues. Jane
gets her answer, and the regulars chat. Everyone's happy.
I suppose if the off-list requests became more frequent than they are now, I
might consider a policy change. Fortunately, the incidence of spamming on my
list has been light, and the off-list requests have been fairly intelligent
questions (e.g., restaurant recommendations, requests from folks doing research
on specifics, etc.)
>
> Just thinking outloud.... :-)
>
So long as nobody hears you... :-)
Cheers,
Ed.
|Edward J. Branley elendil@mintir.new-orleans.la.us|
|Seashell Software +1.504.455.5087 (voice)|
|3508 North Woodlawn Ave, Metairie, LA 70006 +1.504.455.8665 (bbs)|
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