Mailing list FAQ: Difference between revisions

==This list is too noisy!==

Sorry, the mailing list is very busy (currently at 1,200+ posts per month.) Obviously this can be a lot to keep up with so remember there are alternatives to the 'fire hose' approach: going to [http://groups.google.com/group/london-hack-space/subscribe 'edit my membership'] in google groups you can change to a digest mode, or use the google groups [https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/london-hack-space forum] view to see the items as more coherent threads.

==I want to tell people about an upcoming event/see who's coming==

Unless it's tomorrow, it's best to add it to the [[Other Events]] page, and then link people to it.  If it's a big event some time in the future, you might even want to create a dedicated page for it, like [[CCC Camp 2011]]. Again, IRC can be a great way to gauge interest.

==Hey, why don't we use a forum?==

Forums tend to encourage long and impenetrable threads and "ME TOO"s.  A web interface requires deliberate visiting (so forums die out quickly), an email gateway makes things hard to follow (posts can be edited), and a dual interface encourages a disconnect between people using email and visiting on the web.  They also require multiple levels of moderation, and an overhead keeping threads and boards organised.

==Top posting is the way, why are people so awkward here? ==

Any modern client will hide the quoted text, whether you top-post, bottom-post or reply in-line, so almost nobody cares. Even fewer people care about debating it on the list, so please don't.

==Is the laser cutter working yet?==

Has someone posted to the list to say that it is? in that case '''NO'''. [[User:Solexious|Solexious]] is the person who generally maintains the laser cutter but weirdly he has a life and subsequently often does other things than fix the cutter, there are also lead times involved in getting replacement parts (often of several weeks). When the laser cutter is working the list will be told, until that point just be patient.

==I'm interested in the laser cutter....==

The [[Equipment/LaserCutter| Laser cutter]] is a very delicate and expensive piece of kit, please read the [[Equipment/LaserCutter|page]] on it and come to a training session; these are held most Wednesdays or Thursdays, to sign up for training please subscribe to the mailing list and _wait_ for a signup sheet to be posted.

==Can I cut X on the laser cutter?==

Maybe, check the [[Equipment/LaserCutter| wiki page]]. If it's not listed find out if it contains [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine chlorine]; some plastics do, if you put them in the laser cutter you will create chlorine gas, which is not good. Materials of an unknown origin should be [[Equipment/LaserCutter#Chlorine_Testing|tested for chlorine.]]

==Are people interested in a workshop on X==

Yes.

==I'm working on awesome project X, can you help with...? ''or'' help me make Facebook V 2.0...''or''...I'm a student looking for X for project Y...==

Short version: probably.