Since I'm always bugging y'all about trimming your posts, I thought I'd
post the following exerpt from "The Net: User Guidelines and Netiquette -
by Arlene Rinaldi". You can find this and other netiquette guidelines
here: http://www.fau.edu/netiquette/net/index.html
If you plan to continue hanging out on the internet, using email groups,
newsgroups, etc., it's a good idea for you to read the info below, save it,
and use it, as it applies to the internet as a whole... not just this email
group, but all email groups.
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LISTSERVS/MAILING LISTS/ DISCUSSION GROUPS
Some mailing lists have low rates of traffic, others can flood your mailbox
with several hundred mail messages per day. Numerous incoming messages from
various listservers or mailing lists by multiple users, requires extensive
system processing which can tie up valuable resources. Subscription to
Interest Groups or Discussion Lists should be kept to a minimum and should
not exceed what your disk quota can handle, or you for that matter.
* When you join a list, monitor the messages for a few days to get a
feel for what common questions are asked, and what topics are deemed
off-limits. This is commonly referred to as lurking. When you feel
comfortable with the group, then start posting.
* See if there is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for a group that
you are interested in joining. Veteran members get annoyed when they see
the same questions every few weeks, or at the start of each semester. [Note
from Sandy: This one doesn't apply to this email group. Our purpose is to
answer and discuss... no matter how many times the same topic/question
comes up. We're here to help.]
* Follow any and all guidelines that the listowner has posted; the
listowner establishes the local "netiquette" standards for her/his list.
* Keep in mind that some discussion lists or Usenet groups have
members from many countries.
o Don't assume that they will understand a reference to TV, movies,
pop culture, or current events in your country. If you must use the
reference, please explain it.
o Don't assume that they understand geographical references that are
local or national.
* Don't join a list just to post inflammatory messages - this upsets
most system administrators and you could lose access to the net ("mail
bombing").
* Keep your questions and comments relevant to the focus of the
discussion group.
* If another person posts a comment or question that is off the
subject, do NOT reply to the list and keep the off- subject conversation
going publicly.
* When someone posts an off-subject note, and someone else criticizes
that posting, you should NOT submit a gratuitous note saying "well, I liked
it and lots of people probably did as well and you guys ought to lighten up
and not tell us to stick to the subject".
* When going away for more than a week, unsubscribe or suspend mail
from any mailing lists or LISTSERV services.
* If you can respond to someone else's question, do so through email.
Twenty people answering the same question on a large list can fill your
mailbox (and those of everyone else on the list) quickly. [Note from
Sandy: This is another one that doesn't apply to this group. We want the
answers to be posted here so we can all benefit from them.]
* When quoting another person, edit out whatever isn't directly
applicable to your reply. Don't let your mailing or Usenet software
automatically quote the entire body of messages you are replying to when
it's not necessary. Take the time to edit any quotations down to the
minimum necessary to provide context for your reply. Nobody likes reading a
long message in quotes for the third or fourth time, only to be followed by
a one line response: "Yeah, me too."
* Use discretion when forwarding a long mail message to group
addresses or distribution lists. It's preferable to reference the source of
a document and provide instructions on how to obtain a copy. If you must
post a long message, warn the readers with a statement at the top of the
mail message. Example: WARNING: LONG MESSAGE
* If you crosspost messages to multiple groups, include the name of
the groups at the top of the mail message with an apology for any duplication.
* Resist the temptation to "flame" others on the list. Remember that
these discussions are "public" and meant for constructive exchanges. Treat
the others on the list as you would want them to treat you.
* When posting a question to the discussion group, request that
responses be directed to you personally. Post a summary or answer to your
question to the group. [Note from Sandy: This one does not apply to this
email group.]
* When replying to a message posted to a discussion group, check the
address to be certain it's going to the intended location (person or
group). It can be very embarrassing if they reply incorrectly and post a
personal message to the entire discussion group that was intended for an
individual.
* When signing up for a group it is important to save your
subscription confirmation letter for reference. That way if you go on
vacation you will have the subscription address for suspending mail.
* Use your own personal Email account, don't subscribe using a shared
office account.
* Occasionally subscribers to the list who are not familiar with
proper netiquette will submit requests to SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE directly
to the list itself. Be tolerant of this activity, and possibly provide some
useful advice as opposed to being critical.
* Other people on the list are not interested in your desire to be
added or deleted. Any requests regarding administrative tasks such as being
added or removed from a list should be made to the appropriate area, not
the list itself.
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