From: borehawg
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 15:20:31 -0500 (EST)
Okay, with Reese going full force at the keyboard, and the post by MadHat
on just who is doing all this posting, I thought I would contribute this.
This is, of course, a first draft and I welcome any
additions/comments/critiques/flames.
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Generating List Traffic HOWTO
borehawg
How to generate a LOT of list traffic on non-moderated
mailing lists.
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1. Introduction
1.1 History
This is the first version.
New versions will be posted to dc-stuff@dis.org, until the 900+ list
members flame me to eternal damnation for generating too much list
traffic.
1.2 Copyright and trademarks
Blah, blah, blah. Standard Linux Documentation Project notices apply.
I don't feel like typing them here.
1.3 Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the members of dc-stuff for indirectly contibuting
to this HOWTO. Reese gets a special thanks, for generating 10% of list
traffic in direct posts, and an unknown percentage in replies. Woodchuck
gets an honorable mention for a) 6% of traffic, b) his posts actually make
sense, and c) it's a good idea to have the future Pope's favor.
2. How to generate LOTS of traffic.
2.1 Scope out your target.
This is known as "lurking" in some circles, and is a mandatory requirement
upon joining a mailing list. Lurking allows you to determine the on-topic
discussions so you don't post inappropriate material (like Lentil soup
recipes, questions on how to do "x" in Linux or FreeBSD, and religious
arguments centered around IQ points). Failure to observe list etiquette
can result in your posts getting killfiled, or worse, get you forcefully
unsubbed from the list (this makes it much more difficult to generate
traffic).
2.2 Post a few tentative replies.
Throwing a few comments here and there is the best way to introduce
yourself. Making a point that hasn't yet been made is the best way to
induce respect, but simply rehashing a few arguments in a new and
innovative way is the standard method of argument. If worse comes to
worse, and you simply can't think of a witty reply, ask for someone to
repost the "Rules of Argument" so you can at least bespeak the condition
of the Peruvian economy.
2.3 Post for the specific purpose of getting a reaction.
Remember, you are here to generate list traffic. If what you say doesn't
get a reaction, then your posts are too bland or agreeable. An easy way to
get a large number of responses is to simply get drunk
(stoned/zonked/whacked depending on your preference and chemical availablily)
and post babbling nonsense. This will get replies, usually flames. The
only downside is that there will be less tolerance for your posts and can
get you killfiled and unsubbed very quickly (see 2.1).
2.4 Reply to EVERY post.
Let's say your lurk forever, and never post. You get zero replies. Zero
posts plus zero replies divided by number of posts times 100 equals zero
percent of list traffic. However, if you reply to EVERY post, then you are
theoretically generating 50% traffic, plus whatever replies to your post.
Work hard enough, and you can CAUSE (directly or indirectly) 100% of
traffic.
2.5 Become a topic leader.
Okay, so you've now established yourself as a regular poster. You reply to
topics, and other posters reply to yours, and you haven't been killfiled
yet. But you still have much to learn, Grasshopper! You are still reacting
to the list. The last step is to guide the topics for discussion, by
posting new topics, or skillfully changing the subject in mid-post or
mid-thread. The simplest way is to pick a post that has two or more major
points in a thread, and follow up on one point. Argue that point. Make
analogies, comparisions, contrasts, and if worse comes to worse, compare
the author to Hitler[1].
Posting a url, or cross-posting from another list might seem attractive,
but it is rarely a good idea. Chances are, someone (or everyone) has
already seen the url on Slashdot/The Register/NYTimes, and discussed it to
death on the other list. Do this only if you can bring an unforeseen point
about the plight of Peruvian Bean Farmers, or a new insight on the nature
of The Conspiracy.
Congratulations. You should now be directly responsible for most list
traffic on your favorite mailing list.
[1] Another Hitler reference for you, skroo.
3. Additional resources.
dc-stuff mailing list
(echo "subscribe dc-stuff" | mail majordomo@dis.org)
dc-stuff FAQ
http://www.attrition.org/hosted/dcstuff/dc-faq.html
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andrew
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