Re: [MacPerl] Mac/MacPerl users but not mac-specific (Vicki rant alert)

[rjk@linguist.dartmouth.edu (Ronald J. Kimball)]

Vicki Brown wrote:
> 
> At 11:23 -0500 2/2/99, Chris Nandor wrote:
> > At 06.18 -0500 1999.02.02, Paul Gutches wrote:
> >>This script would run on a Unix server... which I'm sure
> >>changes alot of things.
> >
> > Yes, including the fact that it is a question that is explcitly NOT related
> > to MacPerl or this list.  :)
> 
> <small rant>
> 
> Not again...
> 
> I swear, that's it.  We are all Mac/Perl users on this bus. I'm tired 
> of "you use a Mac and you use Perl but non-MacPerl-specific questions 
> don't belong here". I've threatened before, we've had discussions 
> (which are, of course, not MacPerl specific), the problem goes 
> underground.

<counter rant>

There is a difference between a question which is non-MacPerl-specific and
a question which isn't even related to MacPerl.

An example of the former would be: "How do I create a regex to match
such-and-such?"

An example of the latter would be: "How do use fork() in Perl on a Unix
server?"


I would have no problem answering the first question on this list.  I
believe I have answered such questions on this list.  Sure, the answer
applies to Perl in general; but it's just as valid in MacPerl as in any
other Perl, and that's what's important.

The second question, however...  Why should I answer a question on the MacPerl
list that specifically *excludes* MacPerl from the answer?  What would be
the point of having a MacPerl list if we answered Unix questions all the
time?


> This time, no discussion. I'm gonna start another list. I have the technology.
> 
> Said list will be for Mac and MacPerl users who want to talk. Mostly 
> about Perl. Not specifically Perl on the Mac, just, Perl.  Novel, 
> ain't it?

Not really.  I thought that's what this list was.  Mostly about Perl, not
necessarily on the Mac, but not about Perl specifically not on the Mac.


> Occasionally (as long as it doesn't take over :-) you'all can talk 
> about related things - things that affect us as Mac/Perl users 
> (things that affect the Mac and/or Perl). You can talk about Open 
> Source.  You can talk about OS X. You can mention AppleScript 
> (briefly :-) As long as it's a technical discussion related to Perl 
> and/or the Mac and as long as _you_ meet the membership criteria.

Who determines what is "occasional"?  What will you do if it "takes over"?


> The requirement for joining will be that you have a Mac, you like the 
> Mac, you use the Mac, and you use Perl. Preferably, at least 
> occasionally to often, you actually run Perl on the Mac.  _You_ need 
> to meet the criteria, not your current question. If you don't meet 
> those criteria, you will just have to do a really good job of 
> pretending. Deal?

Why are you omitting people who don't have Macs?  They're not allowed to
talk mostly about Perl, not specifically Perl on the Mac, just, Perl?


> Anyone who doesn't want to see questions like "and I'm hosting this 
> script on a Unix machine..." or "I can't seem to make this call to 
> split work..." well - don't join.
> 

But even if you're hosting the script on a Unix machine, you can't ask the
question unless you own a Mac.

That seems even more arbitrary than what you're complaining about.


> 
> Specifically MacPerl questions should stay here on mac-perl@iis.ee.ethz.ch.
> Specifically Mac toolbox or Mac CGI questions should go to the new 
> MacPerl lists which are starting r.s.n. (Yoohoo?  Jeff?).
> 

Apparently specifically Unix questions can go to those lists too; they're
much better lists than this one.


> sigh.
> 
> Give me a few days to find the cycles to set it up a list.  'tain't 
> hard but it does require some effort.  Send me (off-list!) email if 
> you want on.  I'll post the final subscription instructions when it's 
> done.
> 
> It'll be a majordomo list.  It will have a digest.  Any thing I'm forgetting?
> 
> What shall I call it?  perl-talk?  mac-perl-users? mac-techies?
> 
> Send ideas.  Offline, to me.
> 
> sheesh.
> 

:-P

> </small rant>
> 
> We now return you to your regularly scheduled (MacPerl specific) list/topics.
> 


Not MacPerl specific.  Just not MacPerl-excluded.


Ronald