[Dixielandjazz] Fwd: Secretary of Arts -- DJML moderate Info

[Robert Ringwald]

Thad McArthur wthadmc at whidbey.com wrote:

> Bob,  I didn't realize that the DJML has a moderator, you are that
> moderator, and that there are guide lines that may not be exceeded in our
> discussions.  In the many posts that I have reviewed over the past year,
> yours indicate to me that you are probably the most qualified, coupled
> with moderate, person to hold that position.  It is self-evident that
> posts should relate to traditional jazz and tangential issues that affect
> jazz, but if there are any formal guidelines that can be restated here on
> the site, it might be helpful to do that now.  The term, "been placed on
> moderate" is unknown to me.  It may be that all this is already available,
> if so, please direct me to its location.   Thank you for all the knowledge
> you've contributed and keeping us up-to-date on OKOM.       Thad McArthur


Dear Thad,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Most of your questions will be answered by going to the DJML web site and 
reading the FAQ, (Frequently Asked Questions) at:

http://www.islandnet.com/djml/faq.html

However, it was written many years ago and needs updating.

DJML is unmoderated which means messages to DJML automatically go to all 
members without being first read and approved.  In 99.99% of the time, this 
works very well.  However, on rare occasions a member will post an e-mail 
which I feel is off-topic.  On those occasions, I usually write to the 
person off-list and private, and ask that they refrain from posting this 
type of message.  Almost always this takes care of the problem.  In a very 
few cases it doesn't.  In those cases, the offending member must be either 
put on moderate hold, or be unsubscribed.  I believe since the beginning of 
DJML in or around 1995, this has only happened 3-times.

Yes, I am the one who makes the decision.  Someone's gotta do it in order to 
keep the List from becoming a free-for-all.  I do however try to keep a low 
profile on this and seldom stop a thread.

Because this is a friendly list with a lot of folks who have first met and 
then become close friends here on DJML, a certain amount of personal 
comments are made.  As long as it doesn't get out of hand, I let it go by.

However, I do not permit political or religious discussions.  These types of 
discussions first, are not related to Jazz, and secondly, can lead very fast 
to anger.

Often when an argument breaks out, or someone posts an off-topic message, we 
lose good members.  At present we have aprox 575 members.  Because of 
arguments, the list has dropped down to a low of 525.  This is why I try to 
keep the List on-topic and friendly.

I hope this answers your question.  If you have any further questions, 
please feel free to ask.

Best,

--Bob Ringwald
DJML Moderator