For as long as I have been using various groups, mailing lists, USNET, BBS systems, I have noticed all dedicated groups eventually deals with OT issues. Some want a group kept strictly on topic and some allow just about anything. You gather a large group of people, from different walks of life that are interested in a specific topic, eventually, people will discuss things unrelated to the group.
When you want to discuss something OT, adding "OT:" to the subject line helps people delete large numbers of messages they do not care about. It is a good way to go.
As I recall, the home page of this group says OT subjects are OK, so perhaps those that do not want OT, should not join.
The downside is when a list becomes nothing more than OT subjects unrelated to the purpose of the group, people leave it and so the rules actually hurt the group which is the last thing the owner(s) wanted in the first place.
On the other hand, those that hate the large numbers of OT subjects do have a point. If you want help with your iPad, you find a group like this one and perhaps you cannot fathom why so much OT is allowed.
I joined several groups for obscure motorcycle enthusiasts and the last thing I want to read is countless posts about Obama, the HC system, or Justin Bieber's latest exploits.
I have a few groups that do not allow ANY OT subjects. The participants seem to understand that there are other places for almost every possible OT subject and they do not post anything unrelated to the group's subject. A business related group is no place for complaining about the weather or how bad Apple is.
In the end, the list owners make the rules, the membership must comply or leave, and you can always start your own group and run it as you see fit.
--- In iPad@yahoogroups.com, Jim Saklad <jimdoc@...> wrote:
>
> > One can always create another group and rule it as they see fit.
>
> <grin>
> or stay here, and see fits....
> <grin>
>
> --
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Jim Saklad mailto:jimdoc@...
> Borzoi breeder 2nd generation anesthesiologist
>
> Millions for nonsense, but not one cent for entropy!
> -- Gully Foyle/Fourmyle of Ceres
>
