From: Justin Collins <justincollins@...>
Date: 2010-04-15T18:07:34+09:00
Subject: Re: Who maintains ruby-talk?

Tony Arcieri wrote:
> On Wed, Apr 14, 2010 at 4:18 PM, Justin Collins <justincollins@ucla.edu>wrote:
>
>   
>> I am not even sure moderation is a technical possibility. "ruby-talk" is
>> actually an amalgam of a Google user group, a forum, and a mailing list, all
>> of which are different systems run by different people.
>>
>>     
>
> As someone who has built a supersyndication system (in Ruby!), I completely
> do not buy this argument.  As far as I am aware, the MLM of
> ruby-talk@ruby-lang.org is the central authority of the state of the mailing
> list, and everything else is just syndication.
>
> You're arguing that because ruby-talk is syndicated means it's
> uncontrollable?  Bullshit.  Unless I'm confused the MLM is the central
> authority.
>
> And, oh by the way, as I referenced in the OP, the MLM is subject to some
> pretty ridiculous security vulnerabilities.  Anyone can unsubscribe anyone
> from ruby-talk, so long as the read it via e-mail.  That's silly.
>   

I am not sure that is a correct view of the system, but I am sure 
someone will correct me if I am mistaken. As I understand it, there are 
three ways to "input" posts and three ways to view posts. They can and 
sometimes do operate independently, although when they do it is 
considered a malfunction, because we don't want to isolate part of the 
community. They essentially replicate each other, so I do not think any 
one part is considered a central authority.

As for your security concerns, they should be addressed to Matz if you 
have not already done so.

As for your moderation concerns, I do not share them, nor do I really 
understand your vehemence (my perception!) on the issue. Trolls should 
not be fed, spammers should be blocked. Threads I don't care about are 
not read. I am with Robert in saying we should be a community that gets 
along without the need of supervisors. If there is one rule in our 
anarchist mailing list/forum/newsgroup, it is "Matz is nice so we are 
nice." That is enough of a moderator for me.

-Justin