Forgive me for this intrusion, but due to recent posting trends on
this newsgroup, perhaps it might help to discuss what types of topics
would be more or less on-topic to the focus of this newsgroup,
comp.lang.functional, and to assign each topic a numerical value on a
scale from 0 (completely off-topic) to 100 (completely on-topic).
Perhaps such a list would assist in reducing the incidence of conflict
apparent is some recent threads here. Each reader should, I feel, be
entitled to a say in this issue.

For example, this is just my opinion (feel free to differ; each reader
is entitled to a different opinion):

On-topic issues (80 - 100):

Syntax/semantics of functional programming: 100
New functional programming language announcements: 100
Functional programming language conference announcements: 100
Research position announcements in functional programming: 100
Publications in functional programming: 100
Job opportunities in functional programming: 90
Publications related to issues in functional programming (e.g., books
on category theory): 80
Discussions related to any of the above: 80 - 100 (depending on the
topic)

Semi-on-topic issues (50 - 79):

Homework questions from students who have actually tried to solve
their homework problems, but who are stuck and can present evidence of
work that they have done so far: 79
Editor-related technical issues related to functional programming
(e.g., indentation problems with Emacs *.el libraries, etc.): 50

Semi-off-topic issues (20 - 49):

Functional programming jokes: 49
Philosophical issues on comparative programming languages involving
functional programming languages: 20

Off-topic issues (0 - 19):

Discussion focusing on threads in other newsgroups not directly
related to functional programming: 10
Personal questions about how to respond to threads in other newsgroups
not directly related to functional programming: 5
Personal attacks on other users without directly addressing issues
related to functional programming: 0

What do you think?

-- Benjamin L. Russell