Allow me to differ (the [OT] discussion) with Allan

Allan, whose PoV I respect, said: Simple rule of thumb: if you have to label
your post "[OT]" then don't post it...

[Tomb] Let me explain my disagreement.
To my mind, anything not directly (ie making explicit mention of something
from the setting or books) related to GZG products is OT on this list, given
its nature. However, given the broad interest here in military technologies,
space science, etc., posting stories that relate to that (or better yet, links
so that people who don't want to see the stories don't have to... just a short
link and it saves money/time for those who
either pay for their mail or who like me get it over a slow dialup link) are
in fact OT but still of interest. Otherwise why have the OT tag at all? If you
never post anything OT, there is no point in the tag. But by my definition of
OT, the material may be of general interest to this group while still being
(in a strict sense) OT.

The real trick I think is to recall that this list is of international
character, includes gamers of many religions, ethnicities (I suspect, though
it is a bit hard to know), nationalities, political views (from left to right
and some we'd just call 'way out there'), etc.

There is some small chance anything said will cause a kefuffle. But there are
other matters which, if one takes a moment to think about it, one just KNOWS
will provoke a heated response from someone.

Everyone has a right to express themselves, but everyone should also have been
aware of the nature of the list before joining (the nature of the list is
identified in a number of places including
http://www.stargrunt.ca/ref_info/gzg_maili
ng_lists/gzg_mailing_lists.htm as a
reminder (the section on list ettiquette)). Given that, one chose to join this
community with that understanding, so it sort of behooves one to observe that
nature or unsub.

This isn't about free speech, it is about honouring an implicit agreement
about the nature of this forum made by subscription. We aren't policed by the
Gestapo and we certainly don't use jackboots on dissenters. But we generally,
as a community, hope to keep the list focused and not cause hurt and mayhem.

This is *not* (IMO) a forum for *any* kind of free speech, regardless of on
what subject or what sentiment it expresses. It is a forum for discussion of
GZG products
and sci-fi gaming and the occasional
related spin-off discussion. That's what you
sign up for, so why try to make it something else?

Anyway, I've said more than enough given the nature of the problem... *grin*
... and the Narns shall punish me. Unlike some Laserlights I can name, they're
still effective on me....

Tomb

> list is of international character, includes

<TomB mutters: "that is, there's Scots and there's all the other, less
important people">

> We aren't policed by the Gestapo and we

Because it's too tough to catch someone while wearing jackboots. We just send
the Narns.

> the nature of the problem... *grin* ... and

I think the Narns are still in shock from a certain non-event

I'll echo Sir Tuffley here, from a while ago, and put forward something used
on the Dork Tower list. There is the main Dork Tower list, and there is
something called Mud Bay Today (or MBT). Whenever things get to a certain
point, there will be a call for a topic to be sent to MBT, where

upon those who wish to carry on can do so without affecting or insulting

those who a)may not agree, or b) simply don't care.

Personally, some of the off topic stuff I'm interested in, more so than FT or
SG, (I've not played either, I'm here for DSII), so don't lose all of

that, but for those topics that rile people, send them to a new list, where
those who want can argue it out.

John S.

> At 10:34 AM 3/20/2003 -0500, you wrote:

On Thu, 20 Mar 2003 10:34:29 -0500, "Thomas Barclay" <kaladorn@magma.ca>
wrote:

> Allan, whose PoV I respect, said:

I did say "rule of thumb" and not "hard and fast rule", as I feel that people
really ought to sit back and think twice about posting something that they
have to put an OT tag onto it.

I do agree with TomB (as I respect his PoV too) that there are items that are
OT that the group not only tolerates but actively appreciate. There are a
number of collateral topics that aren't "on target" for this list but which we
all agree make the list more worthwhile.