 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the real world, good manners are important in our relationship with
the other people.
Because a mailing list is a public forum devoted to a specific topic,
where hundreds, or perhaps thousands of people read every message posted
to the list, it is very important to keep some measure of good manners.
Even people who are communicating in what is considered very nice and polite manner in their own culture, may be surprised to learn that messages that seem to them as fair and polite, are interpreted by others as insulting.
Not only a good will is needed on international/multicultural mailing lists such as Help-Net, but also some experience in how to behave on such mailing lists, and in what might become annoying to some readers.
There are many files which explain netiquette (net ethics). I plan to write one myself, but until then, here are a few good documents which deal with netiquette:
* http://redtail.unm.edu/cp/netiquette.html
* http://jade.wabash.edu/wabnet/info/netiquet.htm
* http://www.netsquirrel.com/roadmap96/map07.html
While general netiquette is no more than words of wisdom coming from people who are experienced and know from that experience the consequences of many types of behaviour. On most mailing lists, some netiquette "rules" are demanded. It is very easy to ruin a good mailing list by misbehaviour.
Here are the posting instructions for Help-Net. While each of them comes
for a good reason, they may look at first glance as tough.
Take them as instructions, and try to understand the reason behind
each of them.
General Instructions for Posting Messages/Replies to HELP-NET
In principle, these instructions are no more than applications of general
ethical rules that
should apply by default to any public mailing list.
| * You may feel free to post messages and
questions if they are on the topic of this mailing list. Do not,
however, post messages if they are not related to the purpose of the list.
Especially, do not use the mailing list for chatting, or as a place to
make friends or pen-pals.
HELP-NET is also not a proper place for solving technical problems with
your PC or Win98/ME/XP, (unless they are related to the purpose of Help-Net).
A short summary of such mailing lists and resources pertaining to computer
problems can be found on
|
|
| * Help-Net is no place for commercial advertisements. On rare occasions, we might accept a posting with information about a commercial service, but this would apply only if the information is strongly related to the purpose of the list. However, In such a case, you should post the message to one of the list owners for approval prior to posting it to the list. To reach the list owners, you may use the generic address help-net-request@crcvms.unl.edu . | |
| * The official language on Help-Net is English. Do not post messages in other languages. On the other hand, because HELP-NET is an international mailing list, it is acceptable, that the level of English would not be very high. If you wish to post a message and your English is not very good, please feel free to do so in the best you can, without the feeling the need to apologize. The important thing in such a case, is that people would be able to understand you. | |
| * When posting a new message, it is important
to use a meaningful subject line which describes the contents of the message.
A good choice of a subject, helps people to follow threads (a message and
all replies to it) for each topic, and help members to choose what to read
and what not to read.
Here are some common examples of bad subject choices, that you should
avoid:
Although, the subject in examples 2, 4, and 5 may describe the contents
of the message, they are non-informative, because most of the messages
to mailing lists of Help-Net's type, fall into the category of questions
and answers and providing help.
|
|
| * Always be polite. Never publically criticize
another member. If you wish to criticize, do it in a private message to
the person's address. If you wish to request action by HELP-NET's list-owners,
you may reach them at the generic e-mail address: help-net-request@crcvms.unl.edu
.
The list-owners are actively monitoring the list, and if someone's behaviour
on the list is unacceptable, the list owners will act immediately.
|
|
| * Remember that no one on this list owes you anything. Everything on this list is on a voluntary basis, and no one is getting paid for that. This includes the list-owners/maintainers, and the list helpers/contributors. If you dislike the nature of this list, you may send us your suggestions. If it doesn't help and you still don't like it, you are free to leave the list at any time. | |
| * When replying to a message, always think
whether the reply should go to the whole list, or just to the author of
the original message.
Before sending the reply, check that it does indeed go to the correct place. |
|
| * When replying to a message, quote relevant parts from the original message so that others will see what you are responding. Do not, however quote more than is necessary. | |
| * Do not post attachments to the list.
Do not attach HTML parts to your message. If you use Microsoft's Outlook
(/Outlook Express) or Netscape Messenger to post messages, you should first
check that HTML and Rich Text Format (RTF) are turned off. Use only regular
text format.
In order to get more information on how to set your e-mail software
to post your messages as pure text, send a message to:
Alternatively you may look at: http://nospin.com/pc/pcs05-5.html . Another file which is even more extensive (but much bigger) is at:
|
|
| * Do not add long signatures to your posts. 3-4 lines of signature is fine, 5-6 is acceptable, 7-8 lines is a border case. More than that is definitely improper. | |
| * Posting or favorably referring to content
that is harmful,
threatening, abusive, preaching for hate or for harming other people, or is meant for helping in illegal activities or in harming other people, is not allowed. |
|
| * People do make mistakes, and by the very nature of Help-Net's topic, there are many Internet newbies on this list. Therefor, it is to be expected, that from time to time, someone will not follow the postings rules. The policy of the list-owners is to first send a nice private message, explaining and trying to help the poster to be aware and to learn how to follow the list rules. Only if someone persists in ignoring the rules and the messages from the list owners, will we consider taking further steps. | |
| * For any questions or comments on the
above, feel free to communicate with the owner of HELP-NET. His e-mail
is:
help-net-request@crcvms.unl.edu . |