[ANN] A place to discuss all xTalk issues

[Curry]

This is to announce a new discussion list where all xTalk issues can 
be discussed--it's not limited by the particular xTalk product (or 
the xTalk concept in general), although discussions of particular 
product(s) are welcome; nor is it limited by the topic area discussed 
(as long as it's relevant to xTalk), so that it may provide a place 
for some discussions that do not fit well into existing lists.

It's also designated as a place where people can speak freely, 
including (polite) discussions that might be less welcomed on other 
xTalk-related lists for various reasons, such as considerations 
resulting from the list being related to a particular product, or 
resulting from the topic focus or discussion habits of a more general 
list. Thus, there are few obstacles to a free and objective 
discussion.

(To be clear, I'm not talking about something obscene or illegal, or 
overly impolite or off topic, which certainly will not be welcome 
here either.)

Why am I doing this? Half of the reason is because as an xTalk fan, 
having been on related lists for some years, and want to encourage 
discussions on xTalk and xCard products, including some discussions 
that do not fit into the focus of existing lists. It would be a shame 
for these discussions not to happen for lack of a suitable forum, so 
here it is, if needed. I also remember many interesting discussions 
of xTalk in past years in various lists, and want to encourage more 
of the same, in a forum with a sufficiently broad focus to include 
all such relevant issues, ideas, viewpoints, suggestions, 
experiences, debates, information, collaboration, assistance, etc.

The other half of the reason is that sometimes there's the need for a 
place to truly speak freely, where different views are welcome, and 
there is not a sense of having to hold back from speaking out because 
of secondary considerations, whether that's discouraging controversy 
because a list is also a PR channel, or keeping a particular product 
in mind, or simply not quite fitting into the discussion habits of a 
list. In my view, when discussing an issue, such secondary 
considerations can sometimes get in the way of truly examining the 
issue. For those times or topics, I hope this list can again provide 
a useful place when needed. (Not that it's a place for flame wars; 
this is for civil and logical discussion, but otherwise a place to 
speak freely, focusing on the issue more than other considerations. 
Yes, this has actually been an issue in some xTalk-related 
discussions, so this is a response to those situations, too.)

And so, I am taking this opportunity to offer a new list where all 
discussions related to xTalk are welcome. I call it xDiscussion.

This should not be considered a replacement for existing lists, of 
course, but rather a resource for additional discussions including 
those that do not fit in well in existing lists, as well as a place 
where xTalk in general can be discussed thoroughly and 
enthusiastically, and nothing xTalk-related is off-topic.

If using the proper list for a discussion is like using the proper 
tool for a job, then this is a tool for some jobs that could be 
difficult otherwise, as well as a place for all sorts of workers to 
hang out together, as long as they're working within the big xTalk 
area. :-)

Anyway, it's there if you need it, and I offer it in the hope that it 
helps people using xCard products as well as the general cause of 
xTalk.

(List moderators can also feel free to recommend it when it seems 
appropriate for a discussion on their lists, such as off-topic to 
their particular lists, but on-xTalk.)

If there is a need for such discussions and the list grows, I will 
try to encourage it as a place for complete, free, thoughtful, 
polite, diverse, and fair discussions. All are welcome.

Here it is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xDiscussion/

Description:

"xDiscussion is a place to freely discuss xTalk and xCard products, 
issues, ideas, suggestions, experiences, problems, etc. These include 
HyperCard and the products which followed it, including SuperCard, 
Runtime Revolution, and others, as well as general concepts not tied 
to a particular product. All xTalk related discussions are welcome. 
Different points of view and even polite debate or controversy are 
not discouraged. Speak freely. All relevant topic areas are also 
welcome. Welcome to the xDiscussion!"

You can join either through web interface or e-mail command, and 
single or digest mode is available.

Best wishes,

Curry Kenworthy