[FOSS4G-Oceania] Use of private email threads

[Cameron Shorter]

John, all,

I've noticed a few foss4g topics spinning off into private email threads.

I suspect people are trying to reduce signal-to-noise ration, which is 
valid, but dangerous. Topics have a habit of getting big, and then you 
have a long history of discussion you'd like to share with the 
community, but it is poor form to publicly share a person's email that 
was sent in private.

I'd suggest that by default:

* Be concise in communication (most of us are already good at that).

* Go private for personal specifics.

* Sometimes go private for specifics which don't require a response and 
are not of general interest to others.

* Otherwise send emails to our public email lists.

* If someone emails you in private on a public topic, reply first with 
"do you mind if I respond to this email thread publicly?" Once you have 
the ok, respond publicly.

(I'm speaking as an old-timer who is often needing re re-remind myself 
of these conventions.)

-- 
Cameron Shorter
Technology Demystifier
Open Technologies and Geospatial Consultant

M +61 (0) 419 142 254