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Re: List merger/ Jamie's proposal

I absolutely agree with Prof. Louden about. I, for example, will be
subscribed to both, so I will still get double messages.

I also question the bifurcation of audiences suggested by two lists. The
assumption is somehow that some people (coaches or debaters) are interested
only in "announcements" and others only in "discussions." I believe that
debaters need to see the tournament invitations and organizational
information and also that coaches need to see the discussions and *great
debates* taking place. And vice versa. I wonder who it is that would only
want one of these?

OK, I know who would benefit. Maybe only one person in the community. Me. I
currently scan a large number of debate listservs for "announcement" type
information so that I can post it on DEBATE CENTRAL. With a separate
announcement list I could get all the announcements I need and not have to
suffer through the *great debates*.  However, I'll have too much spare time
on my hands if I don't follow the "L" so this isn't really a reason to have
two lists, just a personal anecdote.

>The effect of having an announcement and discussion distinction
>would most likely render the former ineffective.   In the abstract,
>separation is attractive, but in actual use one server is likely to be the
>default result.  Those posting to the Announcement only list, would soon
>realize that they are missing a portion of the intended audience.  Hence
>folks would soon feel obligated to post to both lists to make sure, debaters
>for example, see their announcement.   The Announcement list presumably
>would have a low volume (which sound attractive) but on the risk of "missing
>something" most would likely encourage most to subscribe to both anyway.
>So in the end, one list, even with all the "relevant/irrelevant" discussion
>included, would likely work out just as well.  The best evidence for this
>effect was the NDT-A server that tried to accomplish this very task.
>Atrophy resulted.  The separate list concept could work if the messages on
>the Announcement server were sufficient in volume and importance, to, in
>effect, make it expedient for most everyone to subscribe.  I have my doubts
>that would happen.
>
>Allan D. Louden, Dir of Debate
>Wake Forest University
>Box 7347, Reynolda Station
>Winston-Salem, NC  27109
>Office: (910) 759-5408
>FAX:  (910) 759-4691

Alfred Charles Snider III -- AKA "Tuna"
Edwin W. Lawrence Professor of Forensics, University of Vermont
Mail: Box 54225, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405-4225
Phone: 802-656-0097, Fax: 802-656-4275
+++++
NATIONAL DEBATE INSTITUTE 1997 - July 31-August 15!
Application and Information at: http://debate.uvm.edu/
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DEBATE CENTRAL:  Debate's Biggest Website -- Upload Stuff to It!
 http://debate.uvm.edu/; text only at gopher://debate.uvm.edu
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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