Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #12023



To: beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Richard Weait crs0274@inforamp.net
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 09:37:05 -0500
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: A little irrelevant..................


Hi Gang,

Several people have made comments about the 'level' of
contributions to this list, and about the signal to noise
ratio. This is not the first time these subjects have been
raised. Here are some tips for list users. These tips are
worth every cent you have paid for them. . . :-)

1) Send interesting posts; when you contribute, you add
signal, and reduce apparent noise. Many types of posts
are 'fair use' of this list; I like seeing posts about:
- what you have already built, and performance measurements
- what problem you are having; and what you have tried
to do to resolve it
- links to other robotics (esp. BEAM) sites
- good parts deals
- basic questions, when some effort has been made to
find the answer
- advanced questions, and how you came to this point
of inquiry

What don't I like to see? Who cares? Someone else might
enjoy it. But I do prefer if the list stays fairly close to
topic. A noteworthy exception; I thought the car-talk was
a fun little diversion, even though I'm not a car collector.

2) Use filters to block posts from people that add noise.
You'll never have anything from them clog you in box again.

3) Build more, talk less.

4) Respond when you see a question that applies to your area
of expertise. If you think the mechanical side is easy, help
out someone that thinks the electronics is easy. They'll
help you if you run into an electronics snag.

5) Skim. If the first part of the post isn't interesting.
Move to the next post.

I would rather _not_ see a second list. I really want to
thank those that post interesting stuff. It would be unfair
to me to name names. ('Cause I would surely forget some.)
But THANKS!

Thanks, Mark Tilden; you started all of this. Thanks, Mark
Dalton; you give us the list.

Cheers,

Richard.

At 07:02 AM 3/17/00 -0600, Brian Boeckmann wrote:
>I am just getting started in the BEAM scene. However, I would be VERY
>interested in just LISTENING to an advanced mailing list.
[snip]

Meabadboy@aol.com (Steve) wrote:
>I am to the point of decision to wether or not keep getting this list for the
>following reason
[snip]
>I have gained a lot of insight into electronics, tips, tricks, ect
>some from people who are extreamly knowledagable
[snip]
>however, This list seams to slide off track alot

"Dane Gardner" wrote:
>I've also considered leaving the list. I've learned very little from this
>list as it is mostly people asking simple electronics questions. Not that
>it's a bad thing...it's just that I'm a little beyond the basics. Maybe the
[snip]



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