Content / Noise Ratio on Taxacom

[James H. Beach]

Taxacom Subscribers:


Some recent Taxacom discussion threads seem to have devolved into casual
internet chat, often without much scientific significance.

We are faced with the option of moderating the list, i.e. editing out the
noise, if enough subscribers feel that the content level has been hovering
at an unnecessary low level.  Last year, I took a poll of the Taxacom
subscribers and a majority of the respondents were in favor of editorial
culling, but I decided to wait and see.  Personally, I don't think the
content/noise ratio has improved in the last nine months and we could once
again consider screening out the fluff.  I'm looking at several options
for accomplishing that. If you have a well-considered opinion, pro or con,
on moderating (light filtering of Taxacom mail), send e-mail to me at:
jbeach at nsf.gov.

The easiest thing to do -- is to avoid frivolity.  With over 1100
subscribers in many countries, broadcasting casual dialogue around the
world doesn't improve the science or the image of the discipline.

Don't forget that Taxacom is available on the WWW if the incoming e-mail
gets to be burdensome (http://muse.bio.cornell.edu).



Jim Beach
Taxacom Inc.