Subject: [removed] Digest V2002 #318
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 8/13/2002 4:23 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

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                                The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                                  Volume 2002 : Issue 318
                             A Part of the [removed]!
                                     ISSN: 1533-9289

                                     Today's Topics:

      ADMINISTRIVIA: Copyright and Wrongs   [ Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed] ]

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    Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 18:21:29 -0400
    From: Charlie Summers <charlie@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  ADMINISTRIVIA: Copyright and Wrongs

    Folks;

       I want to quickly talk about the copyright issue and then move on to more
    recent matters.

       If you remember, I asked you to let me know whether or not you thought it
    was a good idea to talk about the issue of copyrights again on the Digest;
    this was started by a posting Martin made dealing with his valid copyrights
    being infringed, but was obviously heading in the general direction of
    whether _anything_ should be copyrighted, what the law means, etc., etc. I
    have to admit I was a little dissapointed with the number of people who
    responded (just under fifty, which is a few thousand fewer than the number of
    subscribers we have), but to those who did respond, my thanks.

       Folks, it wasn't even close.

       The overwhelming majority do NOT want to talk about it. Some of those
    didn't mind the discussion in the Digest, since they'd just skip over it, but
    the consensus was pretty clear. Some people _do_ want to discuss it, and I
    noted anecdotally that those who expressed that preference tend to be newer
    subscribers; some of those who do not want to go through it again
    specifically mentioned the repetition of the argument.

       A few people suggested that we start a new list specifically for that
    [removed] those who were subscribed here when Bill Pfeiffer did
    exactly that some years ago, you'll remember how terribly that worked, and
    how quickly that list was torn down.

       One person, though, did suggest the possibility of a web-based discussion
    group for discussion of this [removed] I have to admit, I rather like the
    idea of using a small area on The Phorums for those few people who _do_ want
    to talk about it; it would save this list from going through it yet again,
    give those people who really want to talk about it a forum, and hopefully
    wall it off enough that there won't be any emotional spill-over.

       So if you're interested in such a thing, drop me a quick note. If more
    than just a few would be interested, I'll open up a Phorum to discuss the
    copyright issue.

       Ok, now that _that's_ over, let me dive into the recent discussions on
    whether our heroes are everything we think they are. I can't answer that
    question, but I _can_ comment on the tone of the discussions. No, I _must_
    comment on them.

       Folks, I can understand how emotions can run high. If I enjoy listening to
    a certain performer, and someone else says he was an evil man who bit the
    heads off of live bats, I can understand getting bothered by it and wanting
    to set the record straight. And I should, since it's important that truth be
    seperated from possibly-flawed recollections, particularly when discussing
    the character of this imaginary performer.

       But while I have the responsibility to attack the comments, I have NO
    RIGHT to attack the poster.

       I've had to return an inordinate number of postings over the last few
    days, not because a poster got their facts wrong (how would I know, anyway?),
    but because I needed to ask the poster to rewrite without the personal
    attacks on the poster of the offending message/story/whatever.

       I honestly don't understand this; if someone posts an inaccuracy,
    certainly it can be corrected without insulting the poster directly. EVERY
    SUBSCRIBER deserves the courtesy of civility; you're welcomed to disagree
    with the post without being mean to the poster.

       And this should extend to private email, too. There's no reason to be
    nasty to other subscribers, either publically OR privately. I have been
    forwarded some REALLY nasty messages sent not to the list but in private
    email to fellow subscribers. Admittedly, I can't do much about what one
    person says to another in private email, but even there we all have a
    _responsibility_ to be civil. I WILL enforce some civility in the public
    postings; I expect everyone subscribed to self-impose politeness on
    themselves when communicating with fellow subscribers privately.

       (*sigh*) I've been constantly amazed when I wander around the Net how many
    people do NOT know about this mailing list; it's the oldest, largest, and
    best Old-Time Radio discussion group on the PLANET, and there are still so
    many people who don't know we exist. I do what I can to let people know about
    it, and I hope every other subscriber is "spreading the word" about the
    Internet OTR Digest (if you have a website, I have graphics you can use; if
    not, make sure your friends know about [removed]'t laugh, they might not!).
    But we've had two new subscribers leave after a few issues recently, both
    telling me pretty much the same thing, even though they used different words
    - too much anger.

       Another long-time subscriber wrote me telling me this list _used_ to be
    fun. It should be fun NOW, even when we're discussing serious topics. We all
    need to work to make SURE we're not insulting each other while we're debating
    whatever it is we're debating.

       I mean, after all, it's a hobby. It's SUPPOSED to be fun! Let's all
    lighten up a little, and discuss things with respect and civility, whether
    posting publically OR privately.

             Charlie

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    End of [removed] Digest V2002 Issue #318
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