Can we get past this, please?

An e-mail list is a virtual "place", and as such has its own peculiar
culture, just like every other place on earth. Understandably, new arrivals
wandering into Tweeterdom will feel like the foreigners they are, unless and
until they have taken the time to get their bearings and made the effort to
adapt. And just as in any other place on earth, the natives will prove to be
friendly, welcoming, and helpful if approached considerately. But remember,
it's their place and their customs. Don't expect to just show up and start
moving the furniture around.

Probably the greatest problem for subscribers to e-mail lists is overload --
too many postings of too great length and frequency. This is especially true
for "big tent" lists like Tweeters that open themselves to the whole
spectrum of those interested in a topic, have few formal restrictions on
content, and are largely self-policing. The pluralism of interests and
viewpoints that is one of this list's great strengths can also, now and
then, generate way too much blather over what amounts to nearly nothing.
Forty postings in the last 24 hours? About what, exactly? Come on, guys.
Let's rein it in and get back to birding.

If habitu?s use shorthand names for familiar locations in their postings
it's because these places ARE familiar to birders and this is a birding
list. If you do not recognize these names and places it's time you found
out. This is a mobile society. Do what everyone does when they end up in an
unfamiliar place. Get a map. Ask directions. Learn the landmarks. But no
bullying, please. It doesn't help.

Hal Opperman
Medina, Washington
hal at catharus.net