Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 18:45:32 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <199801122345.SAA23485@locke.ccil.org> Reply-To: Chris Bogart Sender: Lojban list From: Chris Bogart Subject: Re: splitting the list X-To: lojban To: John Cowan X-UIDL: f416598668814b70c8d5edf6956eee1c X-Mozilla-Status: 0011 Content-Length: 2916 X-From-Space-Date: Tue Jan 13 10:32:43 1998 X-From-Space-Address: - coi rodo I was just browsing the Klingon language pages and found this = interesting tidbit in the FAQ for their Klingon language list. We'd = talked about splitting this list into separate parts: this describes how = the Klingonists solved a similar problem... From: http://labs.thomtech.com/~dspeers/klingon/faq.htm 2.4 What does KLBC mean? / What is the KLBC?=20 KLBC is a discussion forum on the tlhIngan-Hol mailing list, for = newcomers to the language. A few years ago, before there was such a = thing as the KLBC, we noticed that a newcomer would ask a fairly simple = question (how do I say "my name is X?"), and receive 10 opinions on the = grammatical nature of double-object verbs, and a tangential thread on = transitivity to boot, without receiving a straight answer.=20 We considered breaking the list up into two separate mailing lists, one = for introductory-level grammatical discussions that would bring people = up-to-speed, and the high-paced list that tlhIngan-Hol had become. But = that would be bad, since our numbers are rather small. And, if we never = let people see skillful use of the language, they would be missing a = valuable experience with the language. So, the decision was made to keep = one, single list, and somehow distinguish between discussions at the = beginner's level, and more detailed, esoteric discussions of the = language. Thus, the KLBC was born. There's a rotating post, called the = "Beginner's Grammarian" (BG), and this person has the responsibility of = giving attention to posts directed to the KLBC. Furthermore, posts which = are part of the KLBC are expressly off-limits to anyone but the BG, = until the BG has responded. Once the level of discussion goes to a depth = beyond introductory, it is moved out of the KLBC. Once the BG has = responded, the post is fair-game. Of course, if you see a post marked = KLBC and you want to comment on the content, rather than the grammar, = there's no need to wait for the BG to fire the first shot.=20 Noone really remembers exactly what KLBC stands for. It's "Klingon = Language Beginner's C*", and C could mean "Conference", "Club", or = "Conversation." SuStel even suggested "Corner." All that really matters, = though, is how it's used. When someone wants a beginner's level answer = to a question, start the subject line off with "KLBC: ".=20 Also, try to exercise some common sense with the use of the KLBC. If a = newcomer comes along, how is that person supposed to know of the = existence of the KLBC, other than having read this excellent FAQ? If = someone starts a message off like, "Hi, I've been here for two days, I'm = going to try to introduce myself, here goes!" and then procedes to use = some Klingon incorrectly, don't just jump in with corrections simply = because they didn't put KLBC in the subject line. It's obviously a = newcomer, obviously needing the BG's attention.=20