From:	"S.F. Eley" <gt6877c@*****.GATECH.EDU>
Subject:	Re: New list?
Date:	Fri, 4 Aug 1995 12:00:41 -0400

Damion Milliken writes:

> 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.

In the few days since it's been created, I've been watching both lists, and
I'm starting to see what you mean. A lot of the new threads that have
started here in the past few days have been discussions of the sort that I
wanted the new list for. (What makes a good 'snap run?' How do people play
Harlequin? Which published adventures do you need sourcebooks for, and does
Double Eclipse suck, or what?)

I still think these topics would be very appropriate on the ShadowGM list,
and I'd love to see them there. Of course, Robert would slam me if I
proposed moving them, and rightfully so. They're NOT off-topic here, and
more people read ShadowRN. I'd prefer to see it on ShadowGM because it's
tailor-made for such stuff, but other people need to decide to use the list
for it.


> [...] 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.

True, BUT. The purpose statement for the new list specifically states that
players are welcome to join.. They just do it with conscious knowledge that
they're joining a list full of spoilers, and accordingly should talk about
it with their GM, if he/she reads it. It's _intended_ for Gamemasters, but
I hold no illusions that it will be limited to GM's, and besides, I think
most GM's have also been (or still are) players as well.



> 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.

Maybe.. It depends on how people use it, and how often. If it turns out
not to have traffic after a few weeks, I'll consider the experiment a
failure and reincorporate any leftover threads into ShadowRN. I don't have
a high personal stake in this; I just did it to see if it would work.


> 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 grabbed the subscriber listing for ShadowRN the other day.. There are
just over 240 non-concealed subscribers. How many people post? Several
dozen. How many post on a regular basis? Maybe twenty. It's an effect
you'll find on any communication forum anywhere on the Internet.. Lurkers
ALWAYS outnumber loudmouths. I wouldn't call it "parasitism," and I don't
think it's highly negative if some people DON'T post. If nobody does, it's
a dead list; if everyone does all the time, it's total chaos.



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

As I said, I see it as an experiment. If it works, I'll feel good about it.
If it doesn't, I won't feel bad; we'll know, and that's useful.


> 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.

There's a digest version now ('subscribe shadowgm-digest' instead of
'subscribe shadowgm') and I'm working on archiving it to a Web page.
So far we've had a Seattle newsfax and some NPC descriptions posted.. I've
got a review of _Bottled Demon_ being written in the other window, which
I'll be posting shortly. There are 23 subscribers right now.. Mostly I
think everyone's just waiting to see who else will start the discussions.
>8->


Blessings,

_TNX._

--
Stephen F. Eley (-) gt6877c@*****.gatech.edu )-( Student Pagan Community
http://wc62.residence.gatech.edu|
My opinions are my opinions. | "I think, therefore I am.
Please don't blame anyone else. | Worse things could happen."