Arabic-L:GEN:Why the list is censored

[Dilworth Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Wed 19 Jun 2002
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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1) Subject:Why the list is censored

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1)
Date:  19 Jun 2002
From:moderator
Subject:Why the list is censored

> why on earth is this list censored, er, moderated?  I don't see how
> such practice adds any value whatsoever.  On the contrary.

The reason the list is censored\moderated is to keep it on task.  From
my point of view this makes it a much more useful list for those for
whom it is designed.  It keeps the postings (relatively) infrequent,
which tends to increase the number of 'key' people willing to stay
subscribed, which means that if there is a job or book posting, you can
be relatively certain that everyone who should see it will see it.  It
makes it a much more annoying list for those who want to post out of
those subject areas and for advertisers, but I figure that they have a
lot of places to post, and there isn't really anything else like
Arabic-L for Arabic language teachers and linguists.

To give an example of an unmoderated list which became extremely
annoying, I subscribed to a list called ARACOM many years ago.  The
topic was supposed to be Arabic and Computers.  However, it being
unmonitored the topics were sometimes political, but over time became
more and more simply advertisements for mortgages, viagra and
pornography.  I tried to unsubscribe several times but seem unable to do
so.  I haven't gotten an 'on task' message for years, but finally simply
had to filter out EVERYTHING from ARACOM since I was getting up to 80
unwanted messages a day.

I currently get about 40 'error messages' to Arabic-L a day from such
advertisers of things that have nothing to do with Arabic.  If the list
were unmoderated, they would all come through to you.  Is anyone
interested in getting these ads?  I can certainly pass them on if you
like.

Admittedly, any 'editorial/moderating/censuring' hand has to make many
decisions on a daily basis that everyone might not agree with, since
there are many postings right at the edge, and others just over it.  I
try to be as fair as I can, but I am aware that I make some people mad.
For that I apologize.  I sometimes feel that I need to cut off
discussion on a particular topic that has had a number of exchanges
(although if the engagers in the discussion want to continue it among
themselves to some conclusion I would then post a summary), and I
sometimes feel that the tone of a message is simply a little too angry
for posting, or the humor a little too offensive.  However, I have
posted many messages that were right on the edge in each of these areas,
and in general I post everything that is 'on subject' that comes
through, with VERY few exceptions, even messages that I personally
disagree with or that I feel are simply stupid.  Whenever I post 'on the
edge' messages, I get replies telling me that it should have been
considered 'over the edge' and not posted.  This tells me that there are
at least some out there who appreciated the editorial hand, and probably
wish it would be a bit stronger.  I'm sure, as well, that many others
want it to be weaker.  'Tis a puzzlement.

To review, Arabic-L posts messages in the areas of Arabic Linguistics
(LING), Arabic Language Teaching (PEDA), and Arabic Literature (LIT)
(although literature posts are somewhat rare), in addition to things
that Arabic Language teachers and linguists might be interested in that
are related, particularly having to do with Arabic and computers and
transliteration issues (GEN).  I will post ads (labelled AD) on occasion
when it appears to be advertising a new product that I feel many people
probably do not know about, but will not post repeated ads for the same
thing.  After some discussion on the list, it was decided that I would
also post translation queries (how do you say this word in Arabic?),
labelled with TRANS. I also try to post all Arabic related jobs (either
teaching, translating or related), and any new article or book that
comes across.  Also, information about Arabic language programs and
summer programs throughout the world.   I would love to post reviews as
well, but none have really been forthcoming.

The labels allow people to delete messages they are not interested in
without opening them.

I will not post a whole quoted message with a reply.  I will however
post a quote of the relevant part of a message if the sender of the
reply prepares it that way (see this message).  I usually, however, will
not do the preparation for the sender.  In other words, if you just hit
'reply' and type your message somewhere among the quoted material, I
will simply post the message without the quoted material.

I will not post attachments.  If I can easily open an attachment and
copy its contents into the body of the message, I will do it, but if I
have trouble, I simply don't post.

I hope that clarifies things, and I also hope that there are many who
continue to find Arabic-L useful.  I am wiling to receive other
complaints and suggestions if you have them but can't always promise a
reply.

Dil

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End of Arabic-L:  19 Jun 2002