Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 20:58:11 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <199712050158.UAA01541@locke.ccil.org> Reply-To: Chris Bogart Sender: Lojban list From: Chris Bogart Subject: Re: Lojbab on lojban list (Was: Re: reply to And #3) X-To: lojban To: John Cowan X-Mozilla-Status: 0011 Content-Length: 1795 X-From-Space-Date: Thu Dec 4 20:58:34 1997 X-From-Space-Address: LOJBAN@CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU >the lojban list is a floor-wax _and_ a dessert topping It's a *dessert topping*, doi bakni. >I have noticed that >beginner oriented conversations tend to be relatively short, usually >asking a question and receiving the word(s) of God(s). =20 What do you think would be a useful way to deal with that? I think a = few times I've answered a beginner question in that way, and you're = right, it does tend to sort of stop the conversation. Any idea about a = better way to answer? >To summarize: >Technical debates: (IMVHO) yes - keep 'em up. It'd be nice if you = could >make sure newbies at least understand the problem, though. This would >probably benefit you too. I've noticed one or two occasions where the >(advanced) people engaged in the debate didn't know what it was about >either - "Oh, *that's* what the problem is?" This echoes Lojbab's idea of having an official Issues List with current = problem areas and proposed conclusions. It would not only only serve to = record what was decided, if anything (or the N different positions if = the discussion resulted in deadlock), but to explain in non-technical = terms what the whole matter is about. I think it also might help focus = the discussions, and thereby maybe keep them shorter -- I know the le/lo = discussions, as well as the ni discussions, were confounded by the fact = that there were several related issues being discussed and I for one was = not always sure which subissue was being addressed. It could also start off with a disclaimer between giant asterisks that = warned people that this is only discussion of the arcanities -- that the = language is complete, usable, and unchanging, and that everything that = follows can be safely ignored by new learners if they're not interested. co'o mi'e kris