Blessed are the peacemakers

"Julia C.Bishop" wrote:

> Dear All,
>
> I've been in touch with Jiscmail about attachments and discussion
> lists.  Their official policy is that they do not advocate attachments
> for many of the reasons already mentioned by Bob Waltz, i.e.
>
> 1) size of mail message
> 2) assumptions about list members having the software which can
> read the attachment
> 3) possibility of viruses.
>
> However, Jiscmail do point out that they do scan all incoming mail
> for viruses.
>
> The debate between Pauline and Bob about Spam is a little
> different, however.  The attachment was not spam in the sense in
> which I understand the word.  It contained information which was of
> potential interest to all members of the list and which was relevant
> to our subject of discussion.  Of course, not all messages contain
> information or commentary of interest to all listmembers all of the
> time but that is in the nature of belonging to a list.  I presume that
> people are members because they think that at least some of the
> traffic on the list will be of interest and relevance to them.
>
> However, there is a further matter here which hasn't been brought
> out.  It's clear to me that the message (and attachment) which
> sparked this debate wasn't intended for the whole list.  But it's all
> too easy to hit that reply button forgetting that the message will be
> distributed to everyone, not just the individual for whom it's
> intended.  I've done it myself more times than I care to own up to.
>
> The upshot of the situation, therefore, is this:
>
> 1) I shall configure the list so that attachments cannot be
> distributed in future.
> 2) I invite people to continue to distribute information about
> upcoming events concerning ballads/traditional song, as well as
> song-related commentary and queries to the list, EITHER
> a) as part of the body of an email message OR
> b) (for large documents)as a file sent to me (ballads-
> [log in to unmask] or my personal email address) with a
> request to mount it in the files area which I gather from Jiscmail
> exists as a facility for our use on their website.  (A mail message
> alerts you to the existence of the file, and members can access it
> at their wish.) This could, for example, be a medium by which the
> Ballad Comission (many members of which belong to this
> discussion list) could make its newsletter available, as mentioned
> by Pauline.  If anyone wants to take advantage of this, send me the
> file and I'll look into it.
> 3) I return to my initial plea for mutual respect in our
> communications via this medium, and I'll add in the word tolerance
> too.
>
> I hope this lays the matter to rest.  Anyone for ballads?
>
> All best,
>
> Julia
>
> Julia C. Bishop (Dr)
> National Centre for English Cultural Tradition
> University of Sheffield
> Sheffield  S10 2TN
> U.K.
>
> Tel: (Direct Line) 0114 222 6295
> (NATCECT Office) 0114 222 6296
> EMAIL: [log in to unmask]