words from bill about our list. A BIT OF HISTORY
Posted by
wanliker@a...
on 2000-08-23 22:42:38 UTC
This list was started two years ago after visiting NAMES, and setting in on
the seminar they had on CNC, under the direction of R. W. Friestad from
Cardinal Engineering. Due to my hearing I missed about half of what was
said, and got the idea of setting up a list for our interests, and put out a
paper for people to sign. I got 12 signatures that day and set up the list
after I got home. We now have over 700 members.
My idea was for a list that would confine itself to the list title items.
And we have pretty much done so, and the list has taken off beyond all
expectations. We have had a couple of controversies, but the list has been
really serious in its demeanor. Unfortunately we have had to ban two people,
one that joined the list expressly for the purpose of posting Spam that had
nothing to do with the list, he was also dropped by his provider. The other
one, wanted to get in flame wars, and after asked to desist, he then flamed
me. Sorry guy you are gone, and you have missed a lot.
This list has been unlike some of the others that I belong to, as we are all
after information and assistance, be it software, hardware, or just answers,
and the list has always come thru to the best of my knowledge.
I started one controversy when I chastised a list member, that posted an
advertisement to the list. List members rapidly converted my attitude. They
asked me to change that attitude and let people list items that they had for
sale or trade, and a question to the list brought overwhelming support and
that has been acceptable since. I still insist that business be conducted
off the list, and think that is fair to all.
The one big NO-No is flaming somebody, the other is introducing politics. I
recently ignored the comments on guns, until politics was introduced into the
discussion, then I had to step in and say that is enough.
Looking back to times before this list, it was quite unrewarding trying to
find information on a do-it-yourself project in CNC, a few magazine articles,
and if you were lucky some URL's. Now with the list we have professional
Programmers helping us, professional and amateur Machinists helping us,
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers helping us, where else can we go for so
much fantastic help in our quest for knowledge. And all freely given to the
list for all of us to use.
I ask all of you to understand how this list is different from so many of the
others we have all joined and then dropped in frustration due to the egos
involved.
There are so many names that could be mentioned and thanked for there endless
efforts to help, that this letter could go on and on, they know who they are,
and so do most of the rest of us. The new people to the list will surely
learn who they are. I am not going to mention any of the names for fear that
with my memory that I would forget too many of them, but these guys all
deserve a round of applause from the rest of us. They are the enablers of
our quest for a home built CNC.
I have not made any hard and fast rules for the most part, rather we address
concerns when they come up, and everybody is welcome to e-mail me directly if
you see a problem shaping up. A set of hard and fast rules would inhibit the
list in its growth, in my opinion.
All that said, Flames, Politics, Guns are out, listing items for sale is
allowed, sales correspondence to take place off list.
There are other lists for that stuff, this list is for CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO, and
hopefully it will live on a long time, and continue to help all of us.
thanks for listening to my ramblings,
bill
the seminar they had on CNC, under the direction of R. W. Friestad from
Cardinal Engineering. Due to my hearing I missed about half of what was
said, and got the idea of setting up a list for our interests, and put out a
paper for people to sign. I got 12 signatures that day and set up the list
after I got home. We now have over 700 members.
My idea was for a list that would confine itself to the list title items.
And we have pretty much done so, and the list has taken off beyond all
expectations. We have had a couple of controversies, but the list has been
really serious in its demeanor. Unfortunately we have had to ban two people,
one that joined the list expressly for the purpose of posting Spam that had
nothing to do with the list, he was also dropped by his provider. The other
one, wanted to get in flame wars, and after asked to desist, he then flamed
me. Sorry guy you are gone, and you have missed a lot.
This list has been unlike some of the others that I belong to, as we are all
after information and assistance, be it software, hardware, or just answers,
and the list has always come thru to the best of my knowledge.
I started one controversy when I chastised a list member, that posted an
advertisement to the list. List members rapidly converted my attitude. They
asked me to change that attitude and let people list items that they had for
sale or trade, and a question to the list brought overwhelming support and
that has been acceptable since. I still insist that business be conducted
off the list, and think that is fair to all.
The one big NO-No is flaming somebody, the other is introducing politics. I
recently ignored the comments on guns, until politics was introduced into the
discussion, then I had to step in and say that is enough.
Looking back to times before this list, it was quite unrewarding trying to
find information on a do-it-yourself project in CNC, a few magazine articles,
and if you were lucky some URL's. Now with the list we have professional
Programmers helping us, professional and amateur Machinists helping us,
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers helping us, where else can we go for so
much fantastic help in our quest for knowledge. And all freely given to the
list for all of us to use.
I ask all of you to understand how this list is different from so many of the
others we have all joined and then dropped in frustration due to the egos
involved.
There are so many names that could be mentioned and thanked for there endless
efforts to help, that this letter could go on and on, they know who they are,
and so do most of the rest of us. The new people to the list will surely
learn who they are. I am not going to mention any of the names for fear that
with my memory that I would forget too many of them, but these guys all
deserve a round of applause from the rest of us. They are the enablers of
our quest for a home built CNC.
I have not made any hard and fast rules for the most part, rather we address
concerns when they come up, and everybody is welcome to e-mail me directly if
you see a problem shaping up. A set of hard and fast rules would inhibit the
list in its growth, in my opinion.
All that said, Flames, Politics, Guns are out, listing items for sale is
allowed, sales correspondence to take place off list.
There are other lists for that stuff, this list is for CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO, and
hopefully it will live on a long time, and continue to help all of us.
thanks for listening to my ramblings,
bill