Re: [LUG] Request to mailing list list rejected

[Julian Hall <linux@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 29/08/14 16:29, Simon Avery wrote:

Strongly oppose bad apple's request.

I'm happy with a 40kb limit to stay. I think it is a totally reasonable and appropriate limit.

This is a mailing list for a geographical area that has many areas of low bandwidth availability in a country that still regularly has bandwidth limits. I also access this list via my phone on which I have a bandwidth cap, and signal in any of my usual places is at GPRS and often at modem dialup rates. 

Even if it bandwidth wasn't of huge concern, mailing lists are not a good place to post large images or attachments. 

There are a world of free and easy to use hosting services such as imgur, picasa, facebook, or self-host and post a link to your image. Users then have a choice, which they don't if you attach it. Or email somebody directly if you wish. It takes almost no extra time to upload such an image, and is more efficient than a uu or mime encoded 7-bit attachment. 

As a linux user and geek, I especially reserve the right to give a damn about efficiency and best practices.

Most if not all of us have our own webspace or access to somewhere to upload files.  If we allow image files then someone in the future will lobby for other types of file and the list will become bloated, as well as Simon's legitimate concerns.  I don't see the problem with continuing the current policy.  I wouldn't say strongly oppose, but I don't see the point in changing whereas I /do/ see the point in keeping the status quo.  The other option that comes to mind is allowing people to upload images/files to webspace allocated to members on the DCGLUG website and linking to them.  That way we at least know any files are from legit members or they wouldn't have access to the members' area.

Julian

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