Re: [tdf-discuss] unsubscribed posters

On 2010-10-15 6:00 PM, Bernhard Dippold wrote:
> On 10/15/2010 11:58 AM, Charles Marcus wrote:
> > On 2010-10-15 9:58 AM, James Wilde wrote:
> > > On Oct 15, 2010, at 13:43 , Charles Marcus wrote:
> > > > Doesn't it make more sense just to modify the Reply-To header (to
> > > > both the list and the OP) and let the mail client just do the right
> > > > thing?

> > > You mean automatically, or in the copy of the message that comes to
> > > the moderators? I didn't think that any changes one made to this
> > > would percolate through to the message subsequently posted to the
> > > list, but I'm willing to try.

> > Yes, automatically... if the list software cannot do it natively, then
> > someone could write a custom handler (at least in mailman you can do
> > this, if exmlm can't then thats another reason to change) that would
> > accept posts from non-members, but with some extra processing where it
> > modified the Reply-To headers.
> > The reason allowing non-members to post is a problem (endless questions
> > and explanations) is *because* these messages are currently handled
> > manually.

> Sorry, but I see it differently:

You say that, but then everything that follows appears to be in
agreement with me, so I'm confused as to 'what' you 'see differently'...

> While you seem to think of the best way the user get the information
> asked for, this is not the main reason for a users mailing list.

Nope... that question has nothing to do with the topic (of allowing
posts from non-subscribers).

> I'm probably not the only community member starting his "OOo career"
> with a question on the users list.
>
> It's one of the main possibilities to find non-coding community
> members (besides documentation).
>
> I'd rather propose to state clearly on the website the different ways
> for getting user support:
>
> - People hesitant to subscribe to the mailing list should ask their
> questions on the forum.

If someone is hesitant to subscribe to an email list, aren't they also
likely to be hesitant to register for a users forum?

> - If users want to ask their question on the mailing list, they should
> subscribe IMHO and find out how our community works.
>
> With the information by the moderators they will have the chance to get
> all the replies from the archive or subscribe and perhaps become a
> community member.
>
> I don't want the "OP is not subscribed. Please CC him" mails on this
> mailing list and the discussions about the necessity for them.

Nor do I. My suggestion for simply modifying the Reply-To headers would
give a semblance of the best of both worlds. It wouldn't always work
perfectly of course (some mail clients don't respect t Reply-To headers,
as do some list participants), but it would dramatically cut down on all
the noise.

That said - you seem to think I am an advocate of allowing
non-subscribers to post - I am not, I am against it. My suggestion to
modify the Reply-To headers was made with the assumption that this
policy was going to continue. Also, I didn't cover every base - there
should be some really good anti-spam software in front of the list
server (ASSP would be an excellent choice) to (all but) eliminate spam
posts...

> Who ever wants to CC him can do so, but without bothering others.

Apparently you *are* in favor of allowing non-subs to post, so my
suggestion should be something you'd be in favor of.

> Helping users with their questions is just one task of our mailing
> lists. Involving them with the community is another - in my eyes at
> least equal important!

No argument from me, so again, I'm not quite sure what you are
disagreeing with me about...

-- 

Best regards,

Charles

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