From:	Damion Milliken <adm82@***.EDU.AU>
Subject:	Re: New list?
Date:	Fri, 4 Aug 1995 15:17:45 +1000

On the topic of this new list that's recently started, I don't think it's
such a good idea. Sure, it's not such a bad idea either, but I don't think
it's neccessary. I feel that much of what you propose for the new list to
cover is already quite adequately covered by this list.

> It will be carrying discussions of individual GMs' campaign
> background, descriptions of runs or plots, modules or module reviews
> if anyone posts them, and other information of relevance
> specifically to GM's.

I've been on ShadowRN for around a year and a half now, and I've seen plenty
of this type of discussion going on. Not continuously, sure, but there's
been a significant amount of it. I also highly appreciate the players input
on these exact same topics that we get here too. Many a time the input of
other players helps me more than other GM's, as it lets me know what players
want. I think by limiting (or near so) the list to GM's, one loses a lot of
valuable input that would otherwise be gleaned from experienced players.

> The new list will NOT be carrying rules discussions, "how does this work"
> questions, issues of general interest, or anything else that currently makes
> this list what it is.

I would think that things such as rules questions are quite pertinent to
GM's. My personal view is that such a list will be unsuccessful, that it'll
start off and then die off. I'd say that quite a few people will think
"cool, a mailing list devoted to runs and stuff. Sounds like a good thing to
subscribe to to get ideas for my campaign." And that you'll end up with many
people subscribed who never have any intention of posting anything, and just
plan to parasite things others post. I really don't think a mailing list
which is only going to duplicate something already in existance is valid.
About the only reason for creating it that I can see is to reduce the load
of the specified topics from ShadowRN (which does, admittedly, have a high
throughput of messages). And I don't think that's a good enough reason.

However, I sincerly hope to be proved wrong, and only time shall tell.

PS I've subscribed, but I'll be pushing it to get the time to post anything
(I don't reply to half of what I'd like to on ShadowRN as it is) [guess I'm
one of the aforementioned 'parasites' eh? <grin>]. I hope you'll keep us
(ShadowRN) posted on the events of the new list though.

--
Damion Milliken University of Wollongong E-mail: adm82@***.edu.au

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