[LINK] The results of our deliberations on link regulation

[Ivan Trundle]

Dear Tony

Thank you for your very thoughtful consideration over this very  
perplexing matter. To be blunt, it takes more than a 'bit of effort'  
to manage any list (even without moderation), and I admire and  
respect for your reasoned and considerate approach.

I think that it is very important that the list is allowed to take  
its own shape and form its own destiny - but not if one person is  
beginning to drag it down. I agree entirely that it takes two to  
create the kinds of difficulties that we have faced, but the common  
link of recent times has been, without doubt, just one person. That  
others inflamed the debate demonstrates that we cannot easily single  
out an individual, nor should we.

It appears that something *has* been done (to appease those who  
wanted some action taken), since Link has returned to a level of  
civility.

This discussion was important, and helped to resolve a situation that  
was becoming intolerable for more than a handful of people (the  
results show this). And I fully support you taking a tougher line  
with those who step out of line, myself included. We don't  
necessarily need moderation, but we need to know when things stray  
too far, and whilst all of us could possibly step in and say so, it  
works better when written by someone with authority - even if only  
nominal.

I also support the maintenance of fuzzy definitions of what Link is  
about, what constitutes a transgression, and a general lack of  
codification of these matters, other than by this type of discussion.

And moving threads to Unlink is a wonderful escape valve for those  
that need such a device. However, I believe that abusive postings  
have no place on Link or Unlink, and should not be tolerated at all.

My 2 cents.

iT