Sinister: PLEASE READ - LIST OWNER MESSAGE

[crockery.org]

Dear all

Sinister is a place which is dear to many people's hearts.  I help out Honey
with the list occasionally, and in that capacity do try to read all the
posts.  I don't always manage but what I have noticed is that this list,
like many others, goes through cycles.  Sometimes there is a lot of B&S
content, sometimes it is just people who like Belle and Sebastian talking
about their lives. There is a pre-selection effect going on - I see mentions
of bands, books, films which I follow up happily, knowing I will probably
like them. I recognise that some people do not want to read all the
diary-type messages - some are beautiful, some perhaps need to pay attention
to the second most important list rule (see below).

As Mark (illegally... :) ) mentioned, the main list rule of sinister is that
you should not talk about the list on the list.  It is a good one, as too
many lists deteriorate into downward spirals about who can say what is said
on the list. It creates tension, as there will never be agreement - just
argument and counter-argument.  Which is why there is a list mummy on
sinister.

The second rule is that please remember that there are a lot of people
reading the posts, and taking some time to think about what you are posting
will pay off in the long run.  Entertain, inform, share - hard content as
well as the soft squishy-feeling stuff.  Most of the complaints about posts
are usually about long posts, but short posts, quoting the whole of the
message before, with just "Yeah!" are just as frustrating.  What if everyone
did this?  as the local police sergeant used to say when we pushed burning
rags through old peoples' letter boxes.

Third rule is - if you don't like it - change it.  Post something you want
to talk about.  Preferrably in a way which will not irritate other people.
There are a lot of lurkers, and a lot of first posters.  And a lot of
conversation takes place off-list, and so if you want to talk about B&S -
do, please!  Post - someone might just reply to you...

Finally, as lists go through cycles, so do people.  It is not always
necessary to tell the list how you have grown up and moved on..chances are
you may want to come back. :)  Many people do, more quietly than they
left...I see the resubscribes..

It constantly amazes me how many beautiful posts there are on sinister,
funny posts, intelligent posts, and posts with references to men's bits from
Ian (I like those ones).

So, please - "everyone" is not leaving. But do remember the list rules -
they were thought out with great care and have worked so far.

Can we stop the discussion of the list on the list here?

Linda
xx


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 +-+       "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper           +-+
 +-+  "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+
 +-+    "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000     +-+
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 +-+               Snipp snapp snut, sa var sagan slut!                +-+
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