[Rhodes22-list] fuel on a fire.

[Rik Sandberg]

Michael,

It's become pretty obvious to me over the years I have been on the list (since 
1999), that people DO Not read the stuff on the subscription page, when they 
subscribe. OR, if they do read it, they read things in that are not there.

#1 newbie assumption. The Rhodes 22 Owners list is somhow conected with 
General boats.

#2 newbie assumption, Michael Meltzer is somehow connected with General boats.

Perhaps it needs to be made clearer and placed where it is harder to skip 
over, just who and what this list is. Perhaps a little popup window that 
comes up when the subscrition button is pushed that says  something like, 
"Opinions on this list are those of the individual Rhodes 22 owners and are 
in no way to be construed as General Boats policy".

This might help some, but there will still be a few who take a while to figure 
it out.

Another thing I find on various internet lists is that some expect a list or 
bulletin board to exactly reflect the subject of the title of the page or 
board and nothing else should be discussed. In other words, people seem to 
expect to come here and find an encyclopedia of knowledge about the Rhodes 22 
for their perusal, and only that. It doesn't seem to occur to many of them 
that perhaps they should ask a question if they want information. Or, perhaps 
they do not know the right question and are too shy to ask what they feel 
might be a stupid question. Since they did not read the charter or misread 
it, they do not understand what all the "other" chat is about. But, since 
they came here with a clear (wrong) definition already embedded in their mind 
of what this board should be about, they are offended because it is not what 
they thought it would be. Also they are are probably making the wrong 
assumptions # 1 and 2 at the top of this post and this adds to their 
confusion even more.

Heck, we have all seen that folks will not even scroll to the bottom of a 
message to see what is there so that they can un-subscribe. How could we 
expect them to find things like the charter or the FAQ???

Lastly, let's face it, some folks are just looking for something to be 
offended about. You ain't gonna' make them happy.

Personally, I don't like mail lists or BBs that are strictly subject 
controlled. I find them boring as hell.....same questions over and over. 
That's what FAQs are for and this list has a very good one when folks can 
find it.

Rik


On Fri, Jul 30 2004 02:09 am, Michael Meltzer wrote:
> Ok I have never been shy about putting gas(well diesel now :-) on a fire.
> And the dog house might be getting full with me and bill.....
>
> So I might not not be complety crazzy, but it got me wondering.  first a
> quote(in honnor of bill)
>
> When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who
> perceives a solution and is willing to take command.  Very often, that
> individual is crazy!..
>
> What I was womdering is this: We all have been on the boat and have had
> our's problems, engine failure, anchor drags, flooding, weater, groundings,
> mast drops, rolled, lighting, crew injuried, rudder failure, gales and so
> on. In most cases we are on our own with only self and crew. We know how to
> cope, jury rig, repair and make do. In the end we also know what has to be
> sacerficed if else fails. The rules are harsh and help might loosinge boat
> to slavge. what can happen to the crew goes with saying, I read the report
> every month. OK I know this, most of us know this.
>
> Now my question, open to any and all, how can me being pissed off offend
> sensibilities so, I really not so much a surface reaction (bad word or
> harsh), but not bying a boat from an insiant party? was I ever that new to
> boating?
>
> __________________________________________________
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