Date:         Wed, 24 Dec 2003 11:45:51 -0800
Reply-To:     Dale McLerran <stringplayer_2@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Dale McLerran <stringplayer_2@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: SAS-L Panel / Kind and Gentle, or Not
In-Reply-To:  <sfe956a9.055@hchb.ita.doc.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

--- Howard Schreier <Howard_Schreier@ITA.DOC.GOV> wrote:
> An audience member recalled a recent episode in which somebody
> proposed
> launching a SAS discussion similar in purpose to SAS-L, but using
> instant messaging as the platform. This person thought the responses
> in
> SAS-L were defensive and disrespectful.
>

Ah, yes, I remember this thread.  I believe that I was one who
wrote against this idea.  I hope that I was not defensive or
disrespectful.  However, there are a number of reasons why I
felt this would not be viable:

  1) I for one want to read messages on my own schedule, not
     have something intrude into my workday.  I believe that
     I am not alone in this regard.
  2) Instant messaging is more a forum for conversation rather
     than technical exchange.  If there is some burning issue
     about future direction or such, then instant messaging
     might be a valid forum.  Note, though, that instant
     messaging rather restricts the delivery of content to
     participants of the exchange.  SAS-L is also a forum in
     which such burning issues can (and have) been brought
     forward.  While SAS-L is not instant messaging, it is
     a near-time service.  Responses generally arise within
     a very short time after a post has been made.  And when
     posted to SAS-L, anyone who desires can follow the topic
     in their own schedule (see 1) and even resurrect the topic
     from the archives.
  3) Instant messaging is not a forum for delivery of technical
     content.  OK, it could work for "How can I change the
     order of variables in a dataset?" and other common
     questions which have rather trivial solutions.  I would
     note that such questions are good candidates for a FAQ.
     But questions about technical contents which require any
     considered response are not good questions for an
     instant messaging environment.  Such questions require
     considerable time for a proper reply.  That is, needless
     to say, in contradiction with the spirit of instant
     messaging.

If someone wants to set up a SAS instant messaging service, let
them.  By all means, don't allow the comments of one or even a
handful of people stop anyone from taking initiative in something
that they believe will be a valuable service.  I just don't see
any utility in it myself, only bother.  We have a near-time
service as it is that suits all my needs just fine!

Dale


=====
---------------------------------------
Dale McLerran
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
mailto: dmclerra@fhcrc.org
Ph:  (206) 667-2926
Fax: (206) 667-5977
---------------------------------------

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