RadioBanter - View Single Post

K4YZ · December 13th 06, 09:28 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.policy

wrote:
From: Iitoi on Tues, Dec 12 2006 6:20 am

I found the below FAQ on the web, but can't find the referenced
newsgroup on any server? Looks like it could be the salvation of
RRAP?

I think it won't and for several reasons:

1. Nothing has been done/proposed to stop the incessant
cross-posting of the same material to other news-
groups. [see "Slow Code" as prime example lately]

SLOW CODE...?!?!

Hey Your Putziness, you'd better recheck where most of those
crossposts come from! They SURE as heck aren't nearly as prolific as
your Feeble Five brother, Morkie of Michigan.

2. Effective moderation can only be done by HOLDING all
submitted messages/replies for review prior to public
posting. [labor-intensive work for moderators,
almost a 24-hour a day task]

An interim approach is to allow posting until someone violates
those rules.

I use that policy on my " server and it
works very well. In over 7 years of existence, I've only had to
privately warn ONE poster that their conduct on the list was
borderline, and that solved the issue.

3. Some moderation is possible by a mechanism where all
moderators can delete postings not fitting guidelines.
When the "attention-getting" posters don't see their
postings in public they will be dissuaded from posting
more later. Only a rare few will persist.

The above would seem impossible with the Internet as-is
and the wide distribution (and rapidity of such) in the
'Web. Somewhere, someplace on the 'Web such postings
would remain in public view; Google can only control
what is on Google.

4. As one who has a few years experience in moderation on
a Bulletin Board System, moderation is possible ONLY
with a "closed system," i.e., one where postings go no
further than the BBS and moderators have a greater range
of controls from the Sysop than do ordinary subscribers.
Even then it is possible to have postings remain on-line
for hours, begin more arguments and name-calling before
moderators can access a 'newsgroup' to do moderator
actions. Excessive non-guideline activity can only be
stopped with subscriber banishment from posting, again
effective in a BBS but very difficult to achieve on the
Internet (that carries Usenet).

No...Banishment is NOT the only recourse...Of course it is for
power-hungry wannabees, such as a certain ex-radio technician
non-Amateur we all know and love who'd LOVE to pretend he's the
moderator of THIS forum.

5. A search for "rec.radio.amateur.moderated" items has
turned up a few messages dating back to 1998. The "idea"
has been kicking around for eight years with NO real
action taken. This is akin to government "study
groups" doing "studies" on something for a long time
and producing NOTHING tangible but lots of words and
paper with NO authority to correct anything. The "idea"
of a moderated group seems more like wishful thinking
than anything else.

Lord knows that it's needed...but for what?

There's been more than ONE attempt to discuss "policy" issues here
yet it ALWAYS spins off to yet another mindless Code-No Code flamefest.

SNIP

Though the Amateur Radio Service is not a professional endeavor, the
moderators strongly feel that the IEEE Code of Ethics is also a
worthwhile set of guiding principles for participants in the
rec.radio.amateur.moderated newsgroup.

The amateur radio service is, by US federal definition, NOT a
professional organization. [that is the reason the activity
is named as "amateur"]

And yet more Lennie reminding us that HE is (or was, allegedly...)
a "professional".

Unfortunately, many amateurs have the imagination to assume
they are 'professional' in their operating procedures, jargon,
and (to some) their way of life, that is no more than an
assumption, perhaps a fantasy of theirs. There is NO such
thing as a "professional amateur," itself an oxymoron.

Uhhhhh....Yes, Lennie, there IS such a thing as doing an amateur
(non-compensated) act in a professional manner.

You should try it some time...You might (although I doubt it) like
it.

The IEEE "Code of Ethics" is for WORK-related activity, the
professional part of IEEE members. It is NOT designed as a
guideline or code of conduct for messaging. It IS a guideline
for ethical (and moral for the most part) BUSINESS activity.
As a 33-year member of the IEEE I support that and follow it.
But, neither does the IEEE "Code" require me to obey it in
ALL things...including my personal opinions on politics,
religion, or anything else. I retain a freedom of choice
permitted (in the USA) by the Constitution of the United
States. That includes a freedom of speech.

Well well well...Guess you couldn't resist the opportunity to jump
up on that soap box again, now could you...?!?!

The author SPECIFICALLY addressed the "amateur" nature of the NG
in question and SPECIFICALLY refered to the IEEE ethics guidelines as
just that...guidelines.

Another SNIP of More Lennie-On-Da-Soapbox

Amateur radio can be a fun, engaging, interesting hobby.
But, it remains a HOBBY, not some imaginary "professional
life activity." There is nothing wrong with hobbies.
Many other hobby activities exist without any pretenses
at being "professional."

Yet another swipe at Amateur Radio without the benefit of BEING an
Amateur or having ever participated in ANY aspect of Amateur Radio
other than that of an alleged "contributing editor" of a magazine that
went toes-up 20 years ago.

In otherwords...An UNINFORMED OPINION.

Steve, K4YZ