FUN: why we changed to a forum...

[Publius Dionysius Mus]

Salvete!

I just read this forwarded message on a Mediterranean history list, and I think it is worth sharing!

**********

*Light Bulb List Members*

THE QUESTION:
How many internet mail list subscribers does it take to change a light bulb?

ANSWER:
1,331:

1 to change the light bulb and to post to the mail list that the light bulb has been changed

14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently.

7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs.

27 to point out spelling/grammar errors in posts about changing light bulbs.

53 to flame the spell checkers

156 to write to the list administrator complaining about the light bulb discussion and its inappropriateness to this mail list.

41 to correct spelling in the spelling/grammar flames.

109 to post that this list is not about light bulbs and to please take this email exchange to alt.lite.bulb

203 to demand that cross posting to alt.grammar, alt.spelling and alt.punctuation about changing light bulbs be stopped.

111 to defend the posting to this list saying that we are all use light bulbs and therefore the posts **are** relevant to this mail list.

306 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for this technique, and what brands are faulty.

27 to post URLs where one can see examples of different light bulbs

14 to post that the URLs were posted incorrectly, and to post corrected URLs.

3 to post about links they found from the URLs that are relevant to this list which makes light bulbs relevant to this list.

33 to concatenate all posts to date, then quote them including all headers and footers, and then add "Me Too."

12 to post to the list that they are unsubscribing because they cannot handle the light bulb controversy.

19 to quote the "Me Too's" to say, "Me Three."

4 to suggest that posters request the light bulb FAQ.

1 to propose new alt.change.lite.bulb newsgroup.

47 to say this is just what alt.physic.cold_fusion was meant for, leave it here.

143 votes for alt.lite.bulb.

**********



Valete bene

[Aulus Dionysius Mencius]

Salve, Mus et alii

This is indeed a good way to demonstrate the various problems which mailing lists have to deal with... Off-topic conversation, cross- posting, etc... but others have pointed this out before, nonne?

Yes, it might take a little effort to check the forum, but everything is so easily accessible from there that it is worth every second.

So, thanx amices for the hard work. I feel that we owe you

[Anonymous]

Warning: Cynical Rant Follows

************************

{rant}

Quite honestly I don't understand why it requires any effort to check the forums. One bookmarks the site, one takes a second to log in, and badda bing badda booom, you're in.

For all these people who didn't register on the forums because they found it too inefficient, I'd really like to know what they do in life that a few seconds is deemed too precious to switch from e-mail to browser. Does it really require that much work?

We Romans have come a long way from the days when the legions would take the time to surround their camp with moat and fort no matter how long they had marched.

{/rant}

[Aulus Dionysius Mencius]

Salve mi Urse

I nod my head in unison, and applaude your words, amice.