Mailing List Drama: I'm a Net Nazi

Consider this scenario: One of your neighbors wants to build a deck. He’d like some assistance, so he decides to ask the community if anyone is willing to help. He climbs atop the roof of his house with a bullhorn and announces: “I am building a deck and would appreciate some assistance. If you are willing to help, please let me know. Thank you.”

Shortly thereafter, another of your neighbors replies through his bullhorn: “I built a deck not long ago. I’d be happy to help you with your plans.” A third neighbor replies (also via bullhorn), “I have some tools I can lend you. What do you need?”

This exchange continues over several days among various neighbors. Finally, you ask politely if they’d consider taking the conversation to a less public venue. Your deck-building neighbor becomes angry and uses his bullhorn to publicly object to your “incredibly stupid” request. He calls you a “Nazi” for trying to “control” his ability to communicate, and suggests that if you don’t want to hear it, you can simply wear earplugs.

Sound ridiculous? I experienced something similar this week on a private mailing list to which I subscribe. The list is hosted by a product group within a large corporation for the purpose of sharing future plans with and soliciting feedback from advanced users of the product. A member of the list asked if anyone would be willing to help him localize a free utility for which he is responsible. A few members responded, and over the course of several days they exchanged nearly two dozen messages on the list.

Eventually, one of the members (not me!) asked if they’d consider taking the conversation off-list. The original poster replied at length, explaining that this exchange had about run its course, but he didn’t think there was anything wrong with using the list for this purpose. At that point, desiring to express my support for the member who had objected and to discourage this type of activity in the future, I posted the following:

From: Phil Weber
Date: Apr 4, 2006 5:54 PM
Subject: Re: Want to show off your bi-lingual skills ?

I can't speak for Matt, but I have no problem with your posting a request for help to this list. But once someone decides to volunteer, they could (and should, in my opinion) take it offline and communicate with you directly. Thanks!
--
Phil

That’s when the original poster got angry, calling me a “Net Nanny Nazi” and my suggestion “incredibly stupid” on his weblog.

Personally, before posting to a mailing list, I ask myself:

1. Is this message appropriate, considering the topic and purpose of the list?
2. Will the majority of the list’s members find this information useful?

If the answer to either question is ‘no,’ then I don’t post it. Does that make me a Nazi? You be the judge.

  6 Apr 06 1:46 PM · Comments (12) · Tags: Rants