[TriLUG] OT: windows firewall

[Dave Sorenson]

I have to agree with Chris on this one.. It should be ok to ask questions
about hardware (batteries being hardware), and proper disposal of batteries
is a valid issue (kudos to someone who wants to dispose of the batteries
properly).

>From the tone of the original windows related post (clearly marked as OT)
this is a person who uses Linux, understands Linux, but is being required by
external forces to use Windows. He is respectfully turning to a source of
knowledge where he is comfortable asking questions. Maybe he does not
frequent windows only lists because he does not use windows? As such maybe
he is not sure if he can get a timely, relevant answer? Why should a
respectfully submitted question draw rebuke especially when the author marks
it as off topic and respectfully submits it to begin with?

Many of the people on the list have to use various operating systems in
their work and as such can be a valuable source of knowledge. To ban actual
computer related questions will only stunt the usefulness of this list. I
agree the main topic should focus on Linux software and issues, But this
post is still valuable (and marked clearly OT enough) for me not to object
to it's posting. In fact it is more relevant than the recent political
postings and a large number of other recent topics.

Mark this post as off topic as well, but I think Trilug leadership needs to
step up and address the sniping taking place on the list of late. We need to
civilly discuss issues and not quell honest Linux/ Linux users questions.

My .02

Dave S


-----Original Message-----
From: trilug-bounces at trilug.org [mailto:trilug-bounces at trilug.org] On Behalf
Of Tanner Lovelace
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 11:40 AM
To: Triangle Linux Users Group discussion list
Subject: Re: [TriLUG] OT: windows firewall

On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 11:11:12 -0400, Chris Knowles <chrisk at trilug.org> wrote:
> Pedantry.
> 
> Elitism.

No, just trying to keep the signal to noise ratio at a high level so the
list remains useful.  I think that's a useful goal, and posts that complain
about those efforts do not help to raise that ratio.  This is a special
interest list, which by definition means that some topics are not
appropriate for it.  If people are going to complain every time someone
points that out, then why bother even having the special interest?
 
> The Windows post is indeed entirely off topic here.  However, I'm 
> happy to talk about windows firewalls with him or anyone.  
> Particularly since the entirely unwritten subtext is: "If I were using 
> a sane system like *BSD or Linux, this wouldn't even be a question... 
> but these people know about firewalls..."

If it was a question about how firewalls worked, that would be one thing.
It was not.  It was a question about what windows product should I use.
I see no reason for a post like that on a linux list.

> So I'm happy to allow it.  Particularly if the poster puts an OT in 
> the subject line.  (lo and behold they did.  You were warned.)

So, then you would support questions about what windows software someone
should use to do something?  Why bother even having a *linux* list then?

> The battery post is not directly *ON* topic, but I think it is 
> appropriate for this list.  Many of us have Linux laptops running with 
> aging batteries.  We answer other hardware questions all the time.

I'll grant you that, which is why I didn't respond to it directly but just
mentioned it in passing.

Tanner
-- 
TriLUG mailing list        : http://www.trilug.org/mailman/listinfo/trilug
TriLUG Organizational FAQ  : http://trilug.org/faq/ TriLUG Member Services
FAQ : http://members.trilug.org/services_faq/
TriLUG PGP Keyring         : http://trilug.org/~chrish/trilug.asc