It's important to remember that the list has quite a few members. It's
generally considered good manners to follow what have become accepted list practices.
Most of these are common sense, but it's always a good idea to read this section
over periodically, because we all tend to forget the details . . .
In order to save yourself (well, really the rest of us) some grief and embarassment,
you might also want to browse Emily PostNews.
(Also although not netiquette, try to learn to write right, write bright, and
write tight . . . )
These first few guidelines are borrowed from a post by Don Eilenberger on the Internet BMW Riders mailing list.
Written words can often be misunderstood - they don't impart (except
in exceptional cases) the facial expressions and body language
that often allow what sounds insulting to be understood as humor. Take care
in what you put in writing!
There can be more than one opinion on a topic, and more than one way
to solve a problem. This list is information - you can take it
or leave it. It isn't necessary to flame someone (doubting competence)
if you don't agree with them. State your case, and let it go. The readers
of the list are smart enough to figure out who is right - and in many cases
- everyone is right.
Lurk more! Type less! Being a top-dog on the monthly posting ranks isn't
really a goal to seek, unless your posting has content. The content can be
technical, questions, opinions.. but make sure it actually has
some content. Or humor.
If you're new to the list - LURK EVEN MORE! Learn who is who and the
general tenor of the list.. look to see who is asked questions - and why.
It's been mentioned - but quoting an entire question/article is usually
not necessary, a short quote of part of a message is enough to continue a
thread, and allow the readers to get the max info in the least time.
Learn to type. Paragraphs are easy to do - and extra hit of the enter
key. Capitals aren't necessary, but often enhance readability. Your postings
will be judged/respected not only for content - but only if people will bother
to read them. Again, spelling isn't real important, and I often hack it for
effect (or just 'cause of stupidity), but try to take a bit of care.
Context and attribution
Quite a few messages on the mailing list, as in news groups, are replies to
previous messages that hopefully carry a discussion along. When you reply to
another's message, it is helpful to other readers if you put your message in
some sort of context. This is particularly true if you are responding to someone
else's comments. Usually it is easy enough to copy the original's meaning to
your own posting.
At the same time it is considered irritating - i.e. not polite - to enclose
the whole previous message. Everyone else, including the originator, has already
seen it. Just quote what you need and leave the rest. A little creative editing
makes reading your message much more pleasant and therefore much more likely
to be received with an open mind.
Also when you are responding to someone else's comments or posting, you really
ought to acknowledge what person wrote what. Usually by copying the person's
name or email address into your reply. But beware of false or inaccurate
attributions. This can really irritate other people and lead to nasty flame
wars that draw the administrator's unwanted attention.
Sign your name
Remember that there are quite a few people on the mailing list. Most
of us like to know who we are talking to. Just like with the regular post office,
if you don't sign your letters we may be able to decipher enough from the post
mark to make an educated guess as to where the letter originated. But it's still
nice to see that the writer thinks enough of their own work/thoughts to sign
his/her name to them. Some mail environments will automatically add your signature
file to the posting.
Many happy returns
Unlike most word processors, some mail tools don't automatically wrap lines.
Try to remember to put a carriage return at the end of lines, and to limit lines
to 60-70 characters.
A capital idea
Over the years, a convention has developed on the Internet NOT TO USE CAPITAL
LETTERS UNLESS YOU WANT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO SOMETHING. When used in friendly
correspondence, it looks as if you're shouting.
Think twice, write once
Lastly, politeness always helps. If you read something that really steams you,
write your reply. And then sit on it for a few hours before you roast the witless
squid who angered you. You're likely to be surprised how letting a little time
go by moderates your thoughts. And ultimately makes life more pleasant for all
who use the list.
Try to stay fairly close to the main topic: Gaming
It's often hard to do, especially in the winter and cabin fever spills onto the list. However, it is a Gaming list.
If you find a thread of messages drifting away into the ozone, consider taking
the discussion to private, rather than public, email. Put a "No Gaming Content"
or off-topic (OT) disclaimer in your message's subject line, so people who want
to can easily skip less-relevent stuff.
Caring for list administrators
Running the list takes a lot of time and patience. The list admins get to deal
with mail errors, user requests, and other list admin functions all day long.
Joe has set things up so that you have different avenues available to you to
get things you need. Using them will definitely keep a smile on his face. Use
the normal admin address,
for casual requests.
Two sure fire ways to piss off an admin
Post a complaint about the way the list is set up. If you don't like
something about the list, or have a suggestion, put on your politeness hat
and send personal email. Chances are that it can be fixed or there's a good
reason why it's not already fixed.
Send messages to the list asking to be unsubscribed. That will probably
do the job, but that isn't anyone's favorite thing to either read or to deal
with. And you'll probably get a few other folks mad at you as well. Not to
mention advertising the fact that you don't know your way around the net.
And that you didn't save this file. :-) If you lose this file and need to
unsubscribe, send email to an administrator, or remember that instructions are on the FAQ site..
