response 78 of 155:

Feb 13 02:28 UTC 2004

(Fixed dumb typo)

 In all of the verbiage and nastiness on both sides, Lynne's said one of the
 most valuable things I've ever read about BBSing:
 
    I have learned how to deal with unhealthy 
    types of social interaction. It's a skill. And one I happen to like 
    because it allows me to take more social risks than I might otherwise.
 
 You have four choices:
 
 1.  Leave
 2.  Close the BBS to "undesirables"
 3.  React to undesirable behavior with stress and hostility
 4.  Learn to deal with unhealthy types of social interaction in a healthy
        manner
 
 When I've said in the past that it's best to ignore system twits, I'm not
 saying that you should learn to like them.  They're going to be a part of
 Grex unless you shut the doors.  It's unavoidable -- you may manage to
 teach or bully or scold some into changing their behavior, but there will
 always be more.  It's up to you whether you continue to allow their
 presence to stress you out, or learn to handle them in a healthier way.