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The only successful moderation comes from inside yourself. I have been the
moderator from the beginning of this list and I must confess that I have
been very pleasantly surprised by the general tone on this list. Remember,
this is a brand new field, and it would be absolutely shocking if everyone
agreed. People believe passionately in their ideas and so, when someone says
something we may not agree with, it is only natural that we get angry.
Sometimes, if people are under stress from personal or job problems, they
just lose it.

Most of the time, I have been able to handle these issues behind the scenes.
It takes a lot of work, but when you show people the words from their own
messages, people invariably agree that they have done something wrong. At
times it has even turned out that the people who have flamed each other the
most end up apologising, agreeing and even becoming friends. I like to think
that I have helped that.

Moderating each message takes even more work, and it is far less rewarding,
while the list, itself, loses in spontaneity.

Jim Weinheimer
Moderator, SIGIA-L