fwd- list netiquette (off-topic)

[John McKone]

The mailing list welcome for a list I just joined was so straight forward
and concise, that I thought we might all benefit from a quick read
through....

sorry about the bandwidth.

John Mckone





>Stationary Engine Mailing List - Netiquette
>
>Net police:
>- They are necessary evils and play an important role.  Nobody likes to do
>it but everyone needs a punch in the arm sometimes and they do it for us.
>Don't shoot the messenger.  Let them post in peace unless they take their
>role too seriously.  Then approach them off-list with your concerns with
>their actions.
>
>
>Off-topic postings
>- Use the phrase "off-topic" in the subject line.
>- In the text, ask for all replies to be made directly to you, in other
>    words: "off-list"
>- To all that reply, please reply off list
>- You are responsible for that "thread".  If people start replying to the
>  list and the thread in general starts consuming a lot of bandwidth, you
>  are responsible for contacting the people   privately and asking them to
>  contact you and the other interested parties off list.
>- Likewise, if the thread starts getting interesting and you think it would
>  benefit most subscribers, I ask you to move back onto the list by
>  contacting the original parties to the conversations, cc-ing the list,
>  etc.
>
>
>"Grey area" postings.
>- Post away.  The thread will run it's course usually without causing any
>great problems even if it is of limited interest.  Also, the thread may
>wander into areas of genuine concern for everyone.,  I would hate to miss a
>great thread just because initially it was off borderline interest.
>
>
>How to deal with a thread you do not like:
>- If you don't like a thread, please use your delete key.  If the intrusion
>and inconvenience of a thread is more than you can stand, please contact
>folks participating in the thread individually and off list.  Usually
>criticisms made to the list are greater evils, in my estimations, than any
>thread being discussed.
>
>Formatting your message
>- Always include a subject line, if your reply to a message changes the
>subject then change the subject line.
>- Please include your return e-mail address, city, state and country in
>your .signature file (ie. at the end of every message).
>- Keep your posts close to the topic (Stationary Engines)
>- When replying, delete any material not relevant to your reply
>
>Some last words
>- Patience, tolerance and maturity are the watch words of this list.  It is
>by far one of the most civilised list on the Net and in general the
>comments are relevant.  It is a big list and a divergence of what is
>considered "relevant" is to be expected.
>- Avoid "ME too" and "right on" messages
>- If you must flame someone, do it privately off list
>- Before pressing "Send", read over your note, consider if it is really
>interesting to the list members, you might also consider that your note
>will be kept in the archive for posterity.
>
>
>Thanks for listening, and lets have fun!

John McKone, RPT
St. louis Park, Minnesota
(612) 280-8375
mckonejw@skypoint.com