<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 9"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 9"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C43281.74065AC0">  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> Posted to the list back in = February:<o:p></o:p><= /p> no more Northwestern organ = majors<o:p></o:p><= /p> <pre>I see in the Trib today = that Northwestern University has cancelled its organ music program due = to lack of interest. No organ majors have enrolled in the school since = 2000. Presently enrolled organ majors can finish their degree, but = that's it.<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></pre><pre>Just thought somebody might be interested in = this.<o:p></o:p></pre> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> It is interesting to go back = through the archives. The above post came from an individual who has recently been complaining loudly, peppered with angry marks, about the necessity of = keeping discussions on the topic of pianos and only pianos. Obviously there is = no reference to pianos above. In fact, browsing through the archives, he = often complains loudly about OT posts, sometimes having 3 or 4 angry and loud = OT posts in any given OT thread.<o:p></o:p><= /p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> The problem is not OT posts, it = is the loud and angry posts about OT posts. They make it miserable for = everyone. Most everyone makes OT posts, even those who complain about it. I pointed out = to a different complainer that for the month of April his OT posts = outnumbered mine by an 8 to 1 margin. But he sure likes to complain about certain OT = posts with loud (all caps) text and profuse exclamation points. <o:p></o:p><= /p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> OT posts are inevitable, and even desirable. They give us insights into the lives of our fellow techs, = many of whom are really smart and know fascinating tidbits on a whole range of subjects. Without OT posts I wouldn’t have found the patch to make = my laptop’s LCD screen sharper, I wouldn’t know Ric Benke is a fellow dark = beer lover, I wouldn’t know that Sarah thinks about deep issues that most of us = allow our opinions to shaped by others around us on,  and some of you wouldn’t have Avery = Todd’s BBQ recipe. <o:p></o:p><= /p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> There is no need for the list to = be moderated. Who has time and what criteria would be used? Would the above = organ post have made it through? Would Avery Todd’s BBQ recipe have made = it? Would those with secret handshake be given more leeway?   ;-) =   (sorry, I couldn’t = resist)<o:p></o:p><= /p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> Nearly every mail handler that I = am aware of has filtering capability. Just set up a rule to filter out OT (case sensitive) or “off topic” to the deleted folder. You could = even move them to a different temporary folder if you wanted to briefly scan them for = whatever reason. For anyone who “hates” off topic posts this is a = very easy thing to do. If you use Microsoft Outlook I’d be happy to walk you through how = to do it. If you use something else, I’m sure someone else on this list could = help you with it. <o:p></o:p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> The only thing is we would have = to remember to put OT in the subject line, which most people are pretty = good about doing, but sometimes even those who complain when it doesn’t show = up forget, as in the above organ post. Reminders may need to be issued periodically. = No big deal. <o:p></o:p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> Let’s extend a little grace = and tolerance to one another here. I think we can do it without an act of Congress. = <o:p></o:p><= /p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> Blessings,<o:p></o:p><= /p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <b= >Dean<o:p></o:p>= <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> Dean May             cell = 812.239.3359<o:p></o:p><= /p> PianoRebuilders.com   = 812.235.5272<o:p></o:p><= /p> Terre Haute IN  47802<o:p></o:p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p><= /p> </div> </body> </html>