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Harpsichords and Related Topics

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Subject:
From:
"Kelzenberg, David C" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Harpsichords and Related Topics <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 28 Mar 2018 06:41:14 +0000
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Dear Subscriber—



I must say, I was rather surprised to receive your note.



I’ve always been pretty tolerant on this list of brief marginally (and even totally) off-topic excursions.  I certainly don’t see the few recent posts about early-music-friendly places to live as bothersome or problematic, and “buy-sell-trade” posts have always been permitted within reason.  It is not as if list traffic is so heavy that subscribers are bombarded by postings!  It is easy to delete the ones you don’t wish to read.



When I started this list some 20+ years ago I had a vision for it, but it quickly took on a life of its own.  In some ways it became a family of sorts, with the occasional squabbles as well as the valuable exchange of information.  This really was the only thing of its kind at the time, a means for people with an interest in early keyboard instruments and music to discuss related topics in real time, from around the world, years before Facebook and its ilk.  It has been remarkably good at self-policing over the years, and I have seldom had a need to step in as the parent.  Frankly, I like it like that, although I am more than ready to step in should things get out of hand.



I am left to wonder—were you perhaps having a bad day?  Or perhaps HPSCHD-L is just not what you believe (or wish) it to be.  Of our several hundred subscribers, not one other has expressed unhappiness about recent posts.  In any case, I am certainly not feeling a need to change anything at this point.  I hope you are able to see the value the list has, and that these occasional not-of-interest-to-you posts don’t dilute that value for you to the extent that you feel the list is not worth your time.  I would regret that, as would many others.



So, please, if I may be so bold:  Chill.  Participate to the extent you like, enjoy what you find of value, and just ignore the rest.  And trust me to show my police=person side when I feel the need.



As I have typed this, I have decided to remove your name and respond in this public fashion, both to reiterate my management strategy vis-à-vis this list, and to remind everyone that we really must make an effort to adhere to our primary focus as much as possible.



Thanks for writing.



David C. Kelzenberg

List Owner



To: Kelzenberg, David C <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: HPSCHD-L



Dear David,

The HPSCHD-L has recently turned into some sort of wanted listing board, and a social chat group for retirees. It's not my job to point out on the list that requests for orthopedic surgeons and where is a nice place to live in America are off topic, as people get very offended. But I am offended to see the level to which the list has sunk. Do you think the list needs a gentle push from you as moderator back onto the straight and narrow way? I don't know of a simple to blacklist these posts in my own mailer as they can come from anybody and they keep changing the subject. Perhaps a HPSCHD-CHAT list can be created if this has become the new norm.

Sincerely,



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Note:  opinions  expressed on HPSCHD-L are those of the  individual con-

tributors and not necessarily  those of the list owners  nor of the Uni-

versity of Iowa.  For a brief  summary of list  commands, send mail to

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