While I agree that there is a possibility of a split for a list like this, as we have all seen many times before. I think the purpose of this list(air-l) as the primary list of AoIR community is its key distinguishing factor. I operate around 15 lists that are all somewhat related to internet research, and while they are all related, none of them can replace air-l. AoIR even has an effort underway to catalogue and provide information about all related lists, this will build and strengthen the broader community that AoIR services(you can find information on that in the archives). I am also on many other lists and they all cover different topics related to internet research. But there can be only one list for the Association of Internet Researchers, and that is this list. The list and AoIR have a wide variety of rules already, see: http://www.aoir.org/faq.html#Subscription for information on the list and http://www.aoir.org for more information on AoIR. In my opinion, someone might make a list that better fulfills a part of their vision of the internet research mission, but it will not be fulfilling the mission of AoIR, its members and community. Of course, people can join the list and not join AoIR, that why the list is so great, it reaches out to the community of researchers:) However, I encourage you all to join aoir if you are not already members. Membership has its benefits:) You can do so from: http://www.aoir.org/airjoin.html
The issue isn't so much whether there should be rules but whether an internet researcher can find a list that better fulfills an internet research mission.
With respect, Tom
-- jeremy hunsinger http://www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy cddc/political science http://www.cddc.vt.edu 526 major williams hall 0130 http://www.dromocracy.com virginia tech -under construction blacksburg, va 24061 540-231-7614 this email was sent from my office