Problem: Participants respond to every e-mail, spamming one-line personal comments to everyone in the group. The amount of unhelpful discussion just explodes.

Solution: Stern warning from moderator. If this doesn't have the necessary effect, the moderator may restrict them from sending except through the moderator. However, if participants cannot spam one-liners to everyone else, it means that group members cannot effectively hold an open vote. A closed vote (individual emails to the moderator or other appointed person) is the obvious alternative.

Problem: Participants stray off-topic.

Solution Some straying in discussion is natural and good. If you are actually exploring or researching something, then you can't predict where things will go. Of course, some straying is not beneficial and the moderator needs to curtail it. For example, the moderator may adopt one topic for a set period of time and reject any content that is not on topic, and allow only one response and rebuttal to any specific point.

Problem The student of an academic program needs individual help.

Solution: In most cases, private email correspondence between the tutor and the student will be the main channel. It would not go to the entire group. In some cases, it will mean that the student did not meet fully the admission criteria or that those criteria had inadequacies.

Problem The mix of participants can cause shallowness of conversation. Some are academics, some are practitioners and some are lay people with little knowledge or activity.

Solution: Be stringent about who may join and how they may participate.

Problem: A difference of opinion on a side issue hijacks the discussion.

Solution: While occasionally we may need to request clarification on positions informing someone's opinion, we need not allow it to let it dominate discussion.

Once a difference of opinion and position is stated in order to explain one's comment, the group should go right back to the topic. Actual discussion of other issues can be pursued personally between the people concerned, outside the forum.

Problem: Rebukes are not aired in a gentle or shepherding fashion, and there is a tendency to send flame emails. Instead of discussing new topics, the group descends into the general argument between several individuals. New participants become reticent because they feel they will be immediately torn apart.

Solution: Stern warning from moderator, with mediation if necessary. If this doesn't have the necessary effect, the moderator may restrict them from sending except through the moderator.