Douglas Helm <dhelm@log.on.ca> 08/29/97 11:38am >>>

At 09:52 AM 8/29/97 -0400, Thomas Schauer wrote:

I dislike Tybalt for several reason. The largest being that he popped up
one day and said, "I'm moderator do what I say." we as a list had no say
in
*who* was moderator. 

Why should we have had a choice in who was moderator?  It's a private
ML.  To me, it's a little like saying that football fans should get a choice in
who coaches their local team.  Actually, given that we're not paying
White Wolf or Tybalt for the service, we have less say than football
fans...  

To rant a bit, I have to admit that I find the apparent ingratitude of some
people on this list astonishing.  I mean, we are being provided a service,
for free, that I would think we should all be thankful for.  I am, anyway. 
And yet, people complain about what modest rules there are (the
enforcement of which is much more lenient than people have been
making it out to be).  So Tybalt's a little tougher about spam than White
Wolf was.  Big deal.  We're still getting to read and comment upon fanfics,
aren't we?  Perhaps I am misinformed, but isn't that the purpose of this
list?  

I've heard the Tybalt get's testy because of
RL... that's no excuse, if RL get's in the way then don't take it out on
the list. 

I agree that he shouldn't let RL problems influence how he deals with the
FFML, but I haven't really noticed this happening.  Maybe because I
haven't been getting nasty emails from Tybalt.  

There are a few instances where he screams
"Read the FAQ" and all newbies and even older people should turn to
find
answers to questions, however isn't there a general trend to pass over
instruction manuals? 

Screams?  Perhaps Tybalt hasn't always worded his reminders about the
rules in the gentlest terms (OTOH, it could be pointed out that people have
been continuing to break them no matter what he says or does). 
Nevertheless, the rules are out there for any member to read.  This
"general trend to pass over instruction manuals" is no excuse.  If you
broke the law, and you said to the judge that you shouldn't be punished
because you didn't know that what you did was illegal, where do you
think that would get you?  In jail.  Same principle.  If you can't be bothered
to read the FAQ, don't blame Tybalt when he chastises you for breaking
the rules.

tom