[Python-Dev] OT: Signal/noise ratio (original) (raw)

Barry Warsaw barry@python.org
10 Apr 2003 09:12:07 -0400

On Thu, 2003-04-10 at 08:22, Aahz wrote:

What name would we pick to clearly indicate this? I am starting to think that a better idea would be to make python-dev a closed list (only subscribers may post), and have the subscription process include a challenge/response with a code word embedded in the list rules.

If this capability isn't already in Mailman, I can think of several mailing lists that could use this capability.

It's nearly there. You could set up an autoreply with the list guidelines and send that on the first post. What isn't there is a challenge/response subscription auto-enable, although I plan on adding something like this for Mailman 2.2. I'd rather not discuss this further on this list though.

FWIW, python-dev /was/ a closed list at one point, with subscriptions requiring admin approval. At some point we didn't feel the overhead was worth it so we "quietly" changed the policy to allow mail-back confirmation subscriptions.

I don't think we need to change things personally. IMO, We're already on the verge of spending more time discussing list policy than in simply handling the odd off-topic post .

-Barry