The whole sitrep thing has really been twisted and taken out of
context. What began as a all-in-fun exchange between a few people,
all of whom have been around the list for a while and found
themselves wondering "what on earth is a sitrep" evidently struck a
nerve with others and the defensive posts began to fly. Call your
post a sitrep, or an LBA or an update or whatever you want, just so
people understand what the heck you are talking about.

Then there is the whole issue of what is okay to post and what is
not. Of course this is the place to post about missing or damaged
boxes. It is the place to discuss and ask questions about carving,
containers and clues. It is the place for newbies to ask questions
and tell us about their first boxes found and placed. It is the
place to gush about a really cool location or stamp or letterbox. It
is the place to tell us what color socks you wear while you
letterbox. But just to set the record straight, the original intent
of this list was for discussion all things related to letterboxing;
it was not meant to be a clearinghouse of boxing reports.

Nobody ever said any of these things were off-limits or discouraged,
and nobody's posts are of any more value than the next person's
posts. But it is still the individual responsibility of each member
to use discretion in deciding what to share with the group. Face it,
not every letterboxing trip, not every letterbox you find is a
newsworthy experience. In those situations it is probably a better
placed effort to e-mail the placer than to post to the list.

What I have found the most discouraging watching the posts the past
couple of days is that what began as a few people openly expressing
their points of view has come down to name calling, particularly by a
few newer members. While it is understandable that not everyone will
see things the same way, this is an open list and anyone should feel
free to post their questions or perspectives on things without being
ridiculed. We have not resorted to calling you snot-nosed newbies,
so please refrain from calling us grumps, grouches and sourpusses.

And as for the grumps "getting out and going letterboxing a little
more..." Those are awfully big words from a relative newbie to folks
who have found and placed hundreds of boxes and each personally
played a part in shaping the direction of the hobby. Or perhaps you
weren't aware of that because they don't feel the need to post a
sitrep every time they find a box.

I find it interesting that the majority of objections and vocal posts
are coming from newer members of the group, while all of the
supportive and encouraging e-mail I have received has been from folks
who have been around here for a while.

We are not alientating the newbies, they seem to be doing a pretty
good job of that themselves.

SpringChick