I agree with those boxers who suggest that people should have to sign in to get clues, just as they do to post boxes. Keep the FAQ's, Getting Started and Kids sections available to anyone to encourage them to research this hobby before they decide to jump in, but make them join and log in to get clues as well as list boxes. No, it won't prevent ALL of the knuckleheads from doing damage, as the saying goes "Nothing is fool proof to the gifted fool" but it may deter a few.
The media issue is a tough one. Becuase if the story is there they will pursue it with or without help. Look at what happened in Texas. The reporter stated "letterboxers are a very elusive bunch" even though she had been contacted by boxers, she chose to plow on ahead. I am sure England has had this issue as well over the years, yet somehow they survive. I agree the Time article would have happened anyway as well as the CNN piece. The conspiracy of silence is a great idea, but will the news media just proceed without us? This is a tough one with no easy answers.
Just my 2
H&H
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Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the Media
4 messages in this thread |
Started on 2004-09-08
Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the Media
From: Hikers_n_ Hounds (hikers_n_hounds@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2004-09-08 04:12:13 UTC-07:00
RE: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the Media
From: Kathryn Wolfe (kwolfe@cq.com) |
Date: 2004-09-08 10:16:17 UTC-04:00
The answer is yes -- they will proceed without you, either by
finding someone else to talk to or just doing research that is readily
available online. So the choice becomes whether you want to make yourself
available to make sure reporters get the right information, or not. If
people choose not to make themselves available to talk about information
they feel needs to be emphasized, then you can hardly blame a reporter for
potentially making the mistake of not including it.
Best,
Longhorn
(One of those low-lifes in the media)
-----Original Message-----
From: Hikers_n_ Hounds [mailto:hikers_n_hounds@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 7:12 AM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the Media
I agree with those boxers who suggest that people should have to sign in to
get clues, just as they do to post boxes. Keep the FAQ's, Getting Started
and Kids sections available to anyone to encourage them to research this
hobby before they decide to jump in, but make them join and log in to get
clues as well as list boxes. No, it won't prevent ALL of the knuckleheads
from doing damage, as the saying goes "Nothing is fool proof to the gifted
fool" but it may deter a few.
The media issue is a tough one. Becuase if the story is there they will
pursue it with or without help. Look at what happened in Texas. The reporter
stated "letterboxers are a very elusive bunch" even though she had been
contacted by boxers, she chose to plow on ahead. I am sure England has had
this issue as well over the years, yet somehow they survive. I agree the
Time article would have happened anyway as well as the CNN piece. The
conspiracy of silence is a great idea, but will the news media just proceed
without us? This is a tough one with no easy answers.
Just my 2
H&H
---------------------------------
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Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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finding someone else to talk to or just doing research that is readily
available online. So the choice becomes whether you want to make yourself
available to make sure reporters get the right information, or not. If
people choose not to make themselves available to talk about information
they feel needs to be emphasized, then you can hardly blame a reporter for
potentially making the mistake of not including it.
Best,
Longhorn
(One of those low-lifes in the media)
-----Original Message-----
From: Hikers_n_ Hounds [mailto:hikers_n_hounds@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 7:12 AM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the Media
I agree with those boxers who suggest that people should have to sign in to
get clues, just as they do to post boxes. Keep the FAQ's, Getting Started
and Kids sections available to anyone to encourage them to research this
hobby before they decide to jump in, but make them join and log in to get
clues as well as list boxes. No, it won't prevent ALL of the knuckleheads
from doing damage, as the saying goes "Nothing is fool proof to the gifted
fool" but it may deter a few.
The media issue is a tough one. Becuase if the story is there they will
pursue it with or without help. Look at what happened in Texas. The reporter
stated "letterboxers are a very elusive bunch" even though she had been
contacted by boxers, she chose to plow on ahead. I am sure England has had
this issue as well over the years, yet somehow they survive. I agree the
Time article would have happened anyway as well as the CNN piece. The
conspiracy of silence is a great idea, but will the news media just proceed
without us? This is a tough one with no easy answers.
Just my 2
H&H
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the Media
From: nattybumppolbna (nattybumppolbna@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2004-09-08 16:31:24 UTC
As someone who has worked in the media for over 20 years, I'd
like to respectfully disagree on a few points.
First of all, I don't think anyone is suggesting that people in the
media are low-lifes. It's not "the media" causing the problem.
Second, giving the reporters the right information does not
insure that they will get it right. Crucial information is often
omitted because a story is 2 seconds or 2 inches too long. Or it
might not be the story they want to write. Even if they do get it
right, the issue is not an incorrect depiction of the game, it's
over-exposure.
And last, this ain't the Pentagon Papers. It's a mildly interesting
story about an unusual hobby with dull visuals and no sex. I
frankly don't see a busy Arts reporter pushing on past 10, "No
thank yous."
Let it all die down for a while. We shouldn't have to change what
we're doing - just be smarter about it.
Nat
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Kathryn Wolfe
wrote:
> The answer is yes -- they will proceed without you, either by
> finding someone else to talk to or just doing research that is
readily
> available online. So the choice becomes whether you want to
make yourself
> available to make sure reporters get the right information, or
not. If
> people choose not to make themselves available to talk about
information
> they feel needs to be emphasized, then you can hardly blame a
reporter for
> potentially making the mistake of not including it.
>
> Best,
> Longhorn
> (One of those low-lifes in the media)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hikers_n_ Hounds [mailto:hikers_n_hounds@y...]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 7:12 AM
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the
Media
>
>
like to respectfully disagree on a few points.
First of all, I don't think anyone is suggesting that people in the
media are low-lifes. It's not "the media" causing the problem.
Second, giving the reporters the right information does not
insure that they will get it right. Crucial information is often
omitted because a story is 2 seconds or 2 inches too long. Or it
might not be the story they want to write. Even if they do get it
right, the issue is not an incorrect depiction of the game, it's
over-exposure.
And last, this ain't the Pentagon Papers. It's a mildly interesting
story about an unusual hobby with dull visuals and no sex. I
frankly don't see a busy Arts reporter pushing on past 10, "No
thank yous."
Let it all die down for a while. We shouldn't have to change what
we're doing - just be smarter about it.
Nat
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Kathryn Wolfe
> The answer is yes -- they will proceed without you, either by
> finding someone else to talk to or just doing research that is
readily
> available online. So the choice becomes whether you want to
make yourself
> available to make sure reporters get the right information, or
not. If
> people choose not to make themselves available to talk about
information
> they feel needs to be emphasized, then you can hardly blame a
reporter for
> potentially making the mistake of not including it.
>
> Best,
> Longhorn
> (One of those low-lifes in the media)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hikers_n_ Hounds [mailto:hikers_n_hounds@y...]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 7:12 AM
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the
Media
>
>
RE: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the Media
From: Kathryn Wolfe (kwolfe@cq.com) |
Date: 2004-09-08 12:51:59 UTC-04:00
Actually, during a discussion on this very list about this same subject
two weeks ago, that's exactly what several people chose to suggest -- that
reporters are low-lifes with nefarious aims, so as you can imagine I took
offense. So, that's why I included the tag in my signature -- it was an
attempt to personalize these nebulous "media" people -- we're your next door
neighbors, too, and by and large don't have some evil plan.
You're right, giving reporters the right information doesn't ensure it
will be reported correctly. But purposefully avoiding answering their
questions can only increase the chance of that happening.
As for someone giving up on a letterboxing story after several no's,
perhaps. And perhaps not. My main point and opinion remains --
purposefully avoiding reporters in the hopes that they'll go away is not a
good strategy, because by and large they'll probably find a way to write the
story without you. So, the exposure part is unavoidable as far as I can
see. That leaves damage control to be done on what sorts of things you want
to see emphasized in coverage. So, in my opinion, in general, all silence
will get you is an increased chance at a story that you think sucks.
Best,
Longhorn
-----Original Message-----
From: nattybumppolbna [mailto:nattybumppolbna@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 12:31 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the Media
As someone who has worked in the media for over 20 years, I'd
like to respectfully disagree on a few points.
First of all, I don't think anyone is suggesting that people in the
media are low-lifes. It's not "the media" causing the problem.
Second, giving the reporters the right information does not
insure that they will get it right. Crucial information is often
omitted because a story is 2 seconds or 2 inches too long. Or it
might not be the story they want to write. Even if they do get it
right, the issue is not an incorrect depiction of the game, it's
over-exposure.
And last, this ain't the Pentagon Papers. It's a mildly interesting
story about an unusual hobby with dull visuals and no sex. I
frankly don't see a busy Arts reporter pushing on past 10, "No
thank yous."
Let it all die down for a while. We shouldn't have to change what
we're doing - just be smarter about it.
Nat
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Kathryn Wolfe
wrote:
> The answer is yes -- they will proceed without you, either by
> finding someone else to talk to or just doing research that is
readily
> available online. So the choice becomes whether you want to
make yourself
> available to make sure reporters get the right information, or
not. If
> people choose not to make themselves available to talk about
information
> they feel needs to be emphasized, then you can hardly blame a
reporter for
> potentially making the mistake of not including it.
>
> Best,
> Longhorn
> (One of those low-lifes in the media)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hikers_n_ Hounds [mailto:hikers_n_hounds@y...]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 7:12 AM
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the
Media
>
>
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
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oups/S=1705065786:HM/EXP=1094747568/A=2319498/R=0/SIG=11thfntfp/*http://www.
netflix.com/Default?mqso=60185352&partid=5285298> click here
:HM/A=2319498/rand=539330726>
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* Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
two weeks ago, that's exactly what several people chose to suggest -- that
reporters are low-lifes with nefarious aims, so as you can imagine I took
offense. So, that's why I included the tag in my signature -- it was an
attempt to personalize these nebulous "media" people -- we're your next door
neighbors, too, and by and large don't have some evil plan.
You're right, giving reporters the right information doesn't ensure it
will be reported correctly. But purposefully avoiding answering their
questions can only increase the chance of that happening.
As for someone giving up on a letterboxing story after several no's,
perhaps. And perhaps not. My main point and opinion remains --
purposefully avoiding reporters in the hopes that they'll go away is not a
good strategy, because by and large they'll probably find a way to write the
story without you. So, the exposure part is unavoidable as far as I can
see. That leaves damage control to be done on what sorts of things you want
to see emphasized in coverage. So, in my opinion, in general, all silence
will get you is an increased chance at a story that you think sucks.
Best,
Longhorn
-----Original Message-----
From: nattybumppolbna [mailto:nattybumppolbna@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 12:31 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the Media
As someone who has worked in the media for over 20 years, I'd
like to respectfully disagree on a few points.
First of all, I don't think anyone is suggesting that people in the
media are low-lifes. It's not "the media" causing the problem.
Second, giving the reporters the right information does not
insure that they will get it right. Crucial information is often
omitted because a story is 2 seconds or 2 inches too long. Or it
might not be the story they want to write. Even if they do get it
right, the issue is not an incorrect depiction of the game, it's
over-exposure.
And last, this ain't the Pentagon Papers. It's a mildly interesting
story about an unusual hobby with dull visuals and no sex. I
frankly don't see a busy Arts reporter pushing on past 10, "No
thank yous."
Let it all die down for a while. We shouldn't have to change what
we're doing - just be smarter about it.
Nat
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Kathryn Wolfe
> The answer is yes -- they will proceed without you, either by
> finding someone else to talk to or just doing research that is
readily
> available online. So the choice becomes whether you want to
make yourself
> available to make sure reporters get the right information, or
not. If
> people choose not to make themselves available to talk about
information
> they feel needs to be emphasized, then you can hardly blame a
reporter for
> potentially making the mistake of not including it.
>
> Best,
> Longhorn
> (One of those low-lifes in the media)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hikers_n_ Hounds [mailto:hikers_n_hounds@y...]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 7:12 AM
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [LbNA] Protecting Our Boxes from Noxers and the
Media
>
>
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
netflix.com/Default?mqso=60185352&partid=5285298> click here
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* To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
* Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
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