Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2002 18:25:57 -0500
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
From: Barry Newton <bnewton at ashcomp.com>
Subject: [WSFA] Newsgroup Functionality
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

While the WSFA list is a mailing list rather than a newsgroup, it is
already developing some of the less desirable features of newsgroups, i.e.,
people starting to flame each other for the obvious stupidity or
insensitivity of their respective views.  Early on, the vendors of
news-reader software implemented a feature to ameliorate the tendency to
flame; this feature is commonly known as either the "kill" file or the
"twit filter".  All you do is add to your kill file the names of people
whose posts you find particularly offensive, and you don't see them any
more.  Easy on the blood pressure, and keeps a great deal of pointless
back-and-forth off the list.

Since this list is run on plain email, most folks probably don't have a
button neatly labeled "kill file" on their software.  But there are usually
features which can be bent to the purpose.

I will be pleased to assist any WSFAN who needs help in establishing a kill
file, should they be moved to do so.

Barry