signal to noise (was annoying)

[JIMRPT@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 5/12/2000 9:18:59 AM, Ed wrote:

<<"Once before 
the list got a cramp in its info flow, and it began to clog with chit-chat. 
There was a smack-down or two and voila! another list  split off from here, 
the MPT list.">>

Ed;
 I generaly agree with you. and Bill, and Bob, etc. but an occasional lapse 
into the purely social shouldn't really wad anyones drawers should it? :-) As 
is typical the 'naughty-naughty' postings start outweighing the alleged 
inappropiate postings.....this current thread being a good 
example...........What to do??? Ignore I suppose, OR send a private e.mail to 
the alleged offender. This might have more effect than a public 
naughty-naughty post.

 As to the genisis of the MPT list............ Now Ed I am just trying to 
keep you "Historically" accurate here. :-)  Back when there was 'just' 
pianotech., originally set up for college and university technicians, there 
was a period of rather substantial growth of the list subscription numbers 
with the concomitant increase of "personal" posts jokes and errata.  The CAUT 
crowd was provided their own 'new' list, at CAUT.something, and most of those 
folk are far less adaptive to miscellaneous miscreant posts...now that's OK 
and I can see their point.

  The genisis of MPT however was totally different even though "private" 
postings did play a part. It was not a "smack down or two" that caused an 
outflow of pianotech listers to MPT, it was a series of 'virulent', 
'misrepresentative', 'ongoing' personal attacks on each of those who left to 
join the MPT list.  Some of those who left the pianotech list have returned 
but the majority have not and that is pianotechs loss. I still find it 
strange that the 'most' of the same persons who object to harmless prattle 
did not seem, and do not seem, to object when this type of thing happens. 
Hey! don't fuss at me......... it is all in the archives, the good, the bad 
and the archdiocese of ugly.

(While it is true that the MPT list has more of a social flavor to it I have 
yet to see a post of technical inquiry that was not fully and completely 
answered/discussed......... and yes it is possible to say that Newtons knees 
are a mite less than beautiful and still answer technical questions with 
alacrity and experienced opinion. :)

  Now that the history lesson is over I return uoy to previously scheduled 
programming ala the MCMMSofSSTPS aka: "Mid Continents Mild Mannered Sage of 
Silk Scarffed Tuning Pins".
Jim Bryant (FL)