[FFML] Rebuilding FFML Community (was Just a note on configuration)

[Bastion]

>>There is something to that, and I think that the list would benefit from
>>the admins becoming a bit more tolerant of offtopic chatter.  This seems
>>to forment creativity among the authors on the list.
>>
>>Separate issue from the reply-to thingy, though.
>>
>>  
>>
>Way back when the list first came on-line, there was quite a bit of 
>off-topic chatter that ended up cementing the relationship of the 
>authors of old.
>
>At this point, no one knows anyone. The sense of community is gone.
>
>The only person I recognize of late is June (/me waves to June).
>
>I guess the question comes down to: What is tolerable spam?

First I think what solidified the FFML authors wasn't the ML itself but FFIRC.  Not alot of people use IRC anymore but it was great since most of the authors there would discuss silly fic ideas in real time or talk about a story that was just posted on the ML.  I'm not sure if allowing off-topic discussion would help create a sense of community, public C&Cing would do so (with a little good humored poking).  But we gotta remember one thing that I think attracted alot of people to the list, the promise of commentary and feedback. It's what made me stick around all these years.  I really think we should encourage the 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine" mentality when it comes to C&C.  It's really worked in the past so why not try it again? 

Also, I think we need to consider seriously setting up a web-based ML or discussion board or something that can be browsed to attract some new blood here.  Currently mm.org has one but I really don't like how they have it setup and at least on a discussion board you can have endless threads of nonsense but at least in stays in the thread and doesn't clog up your mail box unless you want it to.

I don't know, my opinion is that if support each other and offer our help to those who need it, I think we can get this sucker back the way it was before.

Bastion