Newsletter Guidelines
The Newsletter Email list is primarily for discussing topics originating in the Brosco & Alyce LB Newsletter - and obviously suggestions, comments, criticisms, future articles, etc.

1)  There are other lists and messages boards for posting general questions - PLEASE restrict any discussion on this list to Newsletter content.
General LB questions should be directed to :
LB 4 ALL Message Board
Of course, discussion is not restricted to the latest issue - discussion on previous issues is welcomed.

2)  On most Email readers - when you hit 'reply' it copies the entire copy of the original posting into your reply.  PLEASE don't post your reply with all this.  Use the 'Edit' features to remove it.  Obviously - if your posting is regarding part of the content - leave that part in - but remove the rest.  Lets face it - everyone on the list has a copy of the newsletter - they don't need to see yet another copy in its entirety in your reply.  Additionly - it is very helpful to others if you update the SUBJECT of your posting to reflect the contents.

3)  Types of postings that will be welcomed (in no particular order):

    a)  Requests for further explanation
    b)  Highlighting errors in newsletters
    c)  Requests for articles on particular topics
    d)  Articles that you have written (Please send these to Alyce or me)
    e)  Supplementary information on Newsletter articles
    f)  Descriptions of how you have used the content
    etc.

 
 
Brosco's Rant

When I changed the Newsletter to include the Email list capability, I got a bit of flack from a few of the subscribers - yes - it was just a few - the vast majority of LBers are a generous and giving group and welcomed the change.  But 'the few' managed to bug the heck out of me.  The compaints were mainly in the form - "I just want the newsletter - I don't want all this other stuff".  To me - that translates to "I just want to TAKE - I don't want to be involved in this SHARING thing".  Well, if that's your attitude - you can go elsewhere.  Alyce and I aren't prepared to use a tremendous amount of our valuable time for people who just want to TAKE and not GIVE anything in return.
To produce a newsletter can take anything from few hours up to 30 or 40 hours work!!!!  First the newsletter must be written.  This often involves a lot of research - particularly when it involves translating new API calls.  Programs then need to be written to demonstrate the subject being discussed - an a LOT of effort is put into making the programs as easy to read as possible and hopefully bug-free.  Alyce's son, Tom, often contributes here.  He tests the programs 'to destruction' to try find the slightest hint of anything that may cause confusion. Tom is the best program tester that I have ever worked with - and guess what - he's just 13 years old!!!!!!
Finally this has to be packaged together in a clear and concise way.  Remember - the list has subscribers from all over the world - for many - English is their second language - so every effort is used to write using a style that causes the least amount of confusion possible.  Since neither of us are professional writers - this is not an easy task!

Neither of us are complaining about the work involved - we love doing doing it - and the occasional 'thank you' keeps us informed that we are producing something that is being used and is helpful.  But since we do put in this work - we also feel that we can determine who can get the 'fruits' from our labour.  And we have decided that to continue to receive the newsletter you must be prepared to join the email list - because that indicates to us that you are prepared to TRY to join in on discussions and exchange of ideas.  I believe that is a very small price to pay!!!!
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