I'd like the thank everyone who took the time to offer suggestions and ideas.
Because of the importance of this issue, I am posting this as a new
home page item.
Reading the discussion, it seems some things are in need of
clarification. Lambda the Ultimate was created by me and by the LtU
community to serve our needs and interests, and though these are
quite broad, LtU was never intended to be the single programming
language site on the net, nor will it ever attempt to be one. There
are many other sites, and if the style of discussion here seems too
highbrow for what one has in mind, other sites are available. In the
same vein, LtU cannot replace language specific sites, and is intended
to explore topics that are of general interest. Code examples are more
than welcome, provided they are enlightening and instructional, we
were never only about theory.
LtU has large and vibrant community, with diverse interests and
skills. The main thing uniting us is our interest in programming
languages. If your interests are sincere, you belong here. As you
become part of the community, you naturally have a larger impact on
the topics under discussion. Luke, for example, is a long time reader
and contributor and yet he asks whether specific subjects are
appropriate. If Luke finds a topic to be of interest to the community,
I for one would be happy to learn about it. The same goes for the
other editors, and most long time readers who aren't editors as well.
Luke and others ask me (or other members via the forum) about items they
are unsure of - because they care about the site and the community.
They are genuine members of the community. Sincerity is key.
This is part of the culture of LtU, and I don't think technical
solutions are needed or helpful in maintaining it. I am also unsure
how to explain this culture in a FAQ, but we will give it a shot,
since many mentioned this as a problem. Several good suggestions were
made in the previous thread, and we may lift them and create a more
detailed FAQ.
It seems most members like LtU the way it is (or used to be), and we
should try to make as little a change as possible, to counterbalance
the recent problems.
Now for more specific measures:
1. Signatures will be eliminated - effective immediately. Personally,
I also don't like pseudonyms, but I will not mandate this preference since people
raised good counter arguments when this was last discussed.
2. I will be more pro-active when it comes to deleting posts that
don't seem sincere. Most responses in the previous thread seemed to be
ok with that. I might ask other editors to assist, since I don't have
the time to do it myself. Voting seems too complicated, and I don't
think it is appropriate for the kinds of problem we had in mind.
3. Banning - it seems no one is really against banning real trolls. I
am not sure how to do this (since users can create new accounts), but
I think we will keep the option to do this, and use it if we find it
appropriate. I think I will not ban users before discussing the matter
with at least one other editor.
4. We need to add links to various other PL sites (comp.lang.misc, C2,
etc.) to the FAQ.
5. The FAQ links to the Getting Started thread, we should link to
other introductory threads. If you have suggestions on what to
include, use the comments to tell us.
6. We are in the process of starting a LtU-Wikipedia about PLs. This
will take some time but will also help.
7. Regulars should be more pro-active in politely letting newcomers
know when they post items that aren't appropriate. If you, as a LtU regular, are unsure about your objection,
it is best to mention it publicly. Thanks!
Finally let me end by reminding everyone that posting here isn't a
right, it's a privilege. The LtU community, even though ad hoc and
without institutions, is strong enough a community to maintain the atmosphere
of polite and sincere discussion we are used to having. However, in cases where it proves necessary, we
will remove topics and posters that undermine this goal.
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