PreScriptum: in @lists.altlinux.org, we’ve got some form of
informal convention to mark “just talk” as [JT] in Subject:
(e.g. when the question borders offtopic right from the start,
or the discussion wanders a bit too much away, or someone who
does have that feeling “marks” a thread which should be).
We also have formal “offtopic” list (which isn’t anarchist,
its policy and moderator do insist on being polite and using
it for duplex discussions and not simplex yelling). It helps
since in every technical or user support list one can suggest
folks bordering offtopic to move there, and it’s sorta “here”
and not “get off my lawn”.
And a forum was recently added (as usual, list regulars who
coincide to be the more experienced are harder to spot there).
On Wed, Apr 14, 2010 at 04:39:10PM +0900, Tony A. wrote:
Among other things, the ruby-talk MLM is rampant with security
vulnerabilities, and in need of moderation.
I don’t think so. (being mid-range list reader with dozens
of those, starting last century, a hoster, a moderator,
and ALT Linux Security Team member)
On Wed, Apr 14, 2010 at 11:32:03PM +0900, Rich McGrath wrote:
Maybe this mailing list might be better suited in a forum.
No, not this, please. Forums vs MLs vs newsgroups is very
old and thoroughly beaten to death horse, no need to implement
another cycle by inlining all the recurring stuff yet again.
On Thu, Apr 15, 2010 at 01:15:10AM +0900, Tony A. wrote:
For what it’s worth, I’ve considered unsubscribing due to the
high volume of off-topic email.
So get yourself a “list vacation” if you please (no insulting,
I do that myself at times!). And come back when you miss it. 
On Thu, Apr 15, 2010 at 01:35:47AM +0900, Andrea D. wrote:
While the thunk phase’s been pretty annoying it looks like now
it’s over. I suggest to wait a month or so and see if things
get better: if not, then I’m all into taking actions against
spam and OT.
FWIW, I’ve mostly noticed “thunk” messages in spambox.
Was a bit worried but didn’t get around to tracking those.
On Thu, Apr 15, 2010 at 09:48:49PM +0900, Aldric G. wrote:
If you argue with a recent hiccup in favor of getting rid of
a tradition then this is a weak argument in my eyes.
I have the same point of view as Robert. I like ‘us’.
Also note that there’s some correlation with seasons; spring is
particularly known for weird behaviour even on more or less well
behaving folks (lack of vitamins, changing sunlight, etc etc etc).
Ever notice how the worst children will suddenly become great
kids when they get a toy they like? (damn - my analogy breaks
down again. When they get bored, they become ‘terrible’ kids
again!)
Getting away by toys doesn’t really work, yup. Putting a bad one
in a corner did help misbehaving /me back then though.
