"Betsy" -0 wrote in message
...
I used to get as offended as yourself when these discussions ensued.

Now, I've come to a different conclusion based on:

point: it is just part of human nature to digress
point: it is easy to avoid those topics in which one has no interest.
point: I now find it rather charming that people who gather to share one
interest care about and respect each other enough to share other topics
that
concern them.

It's what makes community.

Well, that's all true -- but there are reasons the newsgroup rules of
netiquette such as not posting off topic were first established. There are
well known rules for polite and proper use of usenet -- and one thing is for
sure, the "regular's rule" rule that seems to prevail here is _not_ the
standard, nor is it user friendly, not conducive to attracting more members
to a group, which is after all what you'd want to happen.

For example, in order ignore a thread I still have to download the header to
know it is something I want to ignore or filter. Not everyone has a high
speed connection yet where it is easy to do that. By allowing as many
off-topic posts as this group does it only serves to disappoint computer
novices in favor of the technically elite who have the horsepower. That's
one reason the guidelines where established.

Then, there is the "the regulars have decided this is what they want this
group to be so tough shit" argument. I love that one. I can guarantee you
that I have been a USENET regular for much longer than anyone in this group,
and I have seen this stuff destroy groups time and again. But what the
hell, everyone has to learn for themselves.

Finally, there is the lovely response to a posting like this where the
poster gets called an A$$HOLE simply for posting her opinion about off-topic
posts. I love that one, so it's ok to blabber about all sorts of off-topic
posts but it's not ok to question whether it should be done. Ok, sure.

I offered up the same opinion (more because I've never been able to convince
anyone of my political views -- it's rather futile) than from the
perspective of really caring if it's done or not, but I can almost guarantee
this note will generate the same sort of responses I got the last time --
not open and honest debate but more of an "F you, we've been here longer so
we can do what we want" sort of reaction. Oh well. Off topic debate is
welcome here as long as we don't challenge any of the gods of the group.

Anyway, I look forward to reading more on-topic posts from everyone.

--
Bob Provencher
ICQ 881862
AIM bproven