Miata Mailing List: June 1995, Message #16
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   From: pboychuk@VNET.IBM.COM
Subject: Re: threatened
   Date: Thu, 1 Jun 1995 09:40:37 -0400

Response to Eddies request for comments...

I am also a 'newbie'.  I adore my Miata.  I have been reading this
list for about one month and thought I should make a comment about
Eddies request for the flame/newbie thing to be played out on the
list (just 'cause I never learned to keep my mouth shut).

I have started to think of the threads on the list like party
conversations.  At a party your questions and responses are effected
by:
your knowledge of the person you are talking to
what kind of mood you are in
what kind of mood the other person APPEARS to be in
how drunk you are :-)
On the list this kind of control is more difficult (I think) for
obvious reasons.

THERE WILL BE LIST POSTINGS THAT WILL OFFEND OR IRRITATE OR AMUSE
OR BORE OR ENTERTAIN SOME OR ALL LIST USERS.  I think this is just
part of the list open and free discussion.

What can we do?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would like to suggest a couple of things.
1.  The note that I receive back from the list-server(??) saying
    that I've subscribed should contain a list of Miata related
    internet/www sites or instructions on how to get a FAQ.
    Maybe only 1 line is needed.  (Is this possible?)
                                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2.  Veteran list readers:  Why do you feel that you have to respond
    to "newbies'" questions?  Because you responded last time or
    because you want to be the first on the list to respond?  I think
    all list users appreciate veteran list users knowledge and experience
    THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERY ANSWER.  HOWEVER, I know it must be
    boring to respond to the same questions all of the time so try this.
    The next time you read a 'newbie' question, LET SOMEONE ELSE ANSWER
    FIRST.  Letting the 'newbies' kick the question around for a while
    will help us learn.  Also, our silly answers may provide some
    entertainment for you (or maybe you will find a new solution).

3.  READ FAQS
    What would happen if I ran up to two doctors talking and
    said , "How do lungs work?"  I might get chastised, blank stares,
    ignored, or an answer.  If I knew these people they might take
    the time to explain in terms that I could understand but it would
    be hard since I "DON'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE".
      McGuires (sp?)
      Voodoo knob
      MX-5
      cat-back
    Every group develops its own language.  Take time to learn some
    of the basics.  I know this is hard because of the media (medium??)
    we are using but perhaps reading a FAQ or just subscribing to
    this list for a week without posting a question might help.

It seems every time a suggestion about the list or internet is
made the poor list owner gets more work.  (I am really taking
her? him? for granted.  I don't even know this person's name (shame
shame shame).

I think maybe all of us list users that really enjoy the discussions
here should help out.  I will start by making a WWW page on the
Miata that contains some of the basics that are contained here.
A glossary??  A list of suppliers for other countries and not just
the U.S.??  Maybe a picture of a Miata that you could click on different
parts of the car and get hints and tips on that section.

I would appreciate all of your suggestions and perhaps some help
in implementing this.  Fellow list reader Chris Hendrix has offered
to run my .html file for me.  Thanks Chris.

Thanks to all that stuck with me and have read this note.

Be happy!  All Miata lovers are COOL!

Paul Boychuk                                           Toronto, Canada
pboychuk@vnet.ibm.com