A more informative Introduction

[FIORE@napoli.infn.itSun Dec 7 12:25:00 PST 1997]

                                                                              *
Hello all,                                                          Feb 1, 1995


I don't mean to be complaining or putting down anyone that's asked for info
via this mailing list (I know I have), but isn't there a better and more
effecient way of distributing information on the more typically asked questions
than having every new member ask them and then these be sent to every member
allready on the list. 

This might not seem a problem now, but our numbers are growing daily and our 
list could become nothing more than answering the same humdrum questions day
after day instead of having the discussions, stories etc.  Also as the network 
itself is growing extremely rapidly with heavier traffic every day,  don't you 
think it's only right we try to limit any traffic that could easily be avoided. 
I'm not sure what our number is now,  but for example when it reaches 1000 and 
somebody asks how to use the web,  that question goes out to 1000 people and 
ties up the net needlesslly.  Then if somebody responds and sends it to the 
whole  mailing list that's another 1000 messages sent, for a total of 2000 that 
really did not need to be sent if the information was given to the new 
subscriber at the time of subscription.

I'm referring to these types of questions:

- how to use the www
- how to use ftp
- the http site of the WHO hypertext
- the http site of the WHO bootleg hypertext
- the address and instrucions for the RELAY, GENERATIONS etc..
- very frequently and commonly asked WHO questions:
     - What are the songs on Lifehouse to Leeds ?
     - Pete's address
     - Is Secret Policmen's ball out on CD yet? (I, myself asked the list this)
     - ...and many more along this line....
- etc.....

I don't know alot about the network, so I'm not to sure of an answer, but I 
was thinking..can't there be a much more informative introductory letter that
automatically gets sent to each new subscriber containing information and
answers to the frequently asked questions.  Or even someplace where this 
information is kept, and gets updated when for example, (God willing) the 
Secret Policeman's Ball get out on CD.  If someone can't use the web, can't
he retrive it via ftp?

Obviously, we won't get rid of all these types of questions, but it would 
reduce the load somewhat.  Maybe I'm exaggerating the problem...I don't know.
But it certainly couldn't hurt to have more of this info in an introductory
letter.

Again...I'm not putting down anyone who's asked questions, because I was
completely ignorant of the system when I first subscribed and asked many 
questions to which people were kind enough to respond.  But...I believe
I wouldn't have had to ask half of my questions if the information had 
been written down for me somewhere at the start.

I hope I haven't offended anyone.    

Comments? ..... Ideas?

DJF