Hi Folks,

I'm finally getting around to doing a web page for myself and in it I'm
referencing the List.  I wanted to put in just a few rules for posting to
the list and like anything I do, it became a huge undertaking.

I'm posting my List Etiquette rules here for everybody peruse and comment
upon or add.  When I set up my web page, these rules of etiquette will be
placed before the instructions on subscribing (as is implied in this cut and
paste):

>Subscribing to the PICLIST
>
>The PICLIST is a very busy listserver - over 100 messages per day is not
>unheard of. Occasionally discussion can get off topic and become somewhat
>heated. To avoid problems and becoming innundated with messages suggesting
that >your ancestors skipped an evolutionary step, there are a few informal
rules of >PICLIST "netiquette" you should be aware of:
>
>   1.Don't subscribe to the List and then immediately start sending questions
>     to the List. Instead, wait a day or so to get the hang of how messages
are
>     sent and replied to on the List and get a "feel" for the best way of
>     asking questions.
>
>   2.If you are changing the "Subject" line of a post, please reference the
>     previous topic (ie put in "was: '...'"). This will help others keep track
>     of the conversation.
>
>   3.When replying to a previous post, try to minimize how much of the
previous
>     note is copied in your note and maximize the relevance to your reply. This
>     is not to say that none of the message should be copied or referenced.
>     There is a very fine balance between having too much and too little. The
>     sender of the note you are replying to should be referenced (with their
>     ID).
>
>     My rule of thumb is, if the original question is less than ten lines, I
>     copy it all. If it is longer, then I cut it down (identifying what was cut
>     out with a "SNIP" Message), leaving just the question and any relevent
>     information.
>
>   4.If you have a program that doesn't work, please don't copy the entire
>     source into a note and then post it to the List. As soon as I see a note
>     like this I just delete it and go on to the next one (and I suspect that
>     I'm not the only one).
>
>     People on the list are more than happy and willing to answer specific
>     questions, but simply putting complete source code in the note and asking
>     a question like "Why won't the LCD Display anything" really isn't useful
>     for anybody. Instead, try to isolate the failing code and describe
what is
>     actually happening along with what you want to happen. If you do this,
>     chances are you will get an answer literally within minutes.
>
>   5.You may find a totally awesome and appropriate web page and want to share
>     it with the list. Please make it easier on the people in the list to cut
>     and paste the URL by putting it on a line all by itself in the format:
>
>     http://www.awesome-pic-page.com
>
>   6.If you have a new application, graphic, or whatever you would like to
>     share with everyone on the List, please don't send it as an attachment in
>     a note to the List. Instead, either indicate you are have this amazing
>     piece of work and tell people that you have it and where to request it
>     (either to you or to a web server address).
>
>     If you don't have a web page of your own or one you can access,
requesting
>     somebody to put it on their web page or ftp server is cool.
>
>   7.Putting job postings or employment requests is appropriate for the list.
>     However, I don't recommend that the rate of pay or conditions of
>     employment should be included in the note (unless you want to be
>     identified as cheap, greedy, exploitive or unreasonable).
>
>   8.Spams are sent to the List Server occasionally. Please do not "reply" to
>     the note. This will send a message to everyone in the list. If you must
>     send a note detailing your disgust, send it to the spam orignator.
>
>     NOTE: Many companies sending out spams collect the originating addresses
>     of replying messages and sell them to other companies or distributors of
>     addresses on CD-ROM. When a spam has been sent to the PICLIST, it has just
>     been sent to the PICLIST and not you personally. Sending a note directly
>     back to the Spammer gives them your ID.
>
>     I know it's frustrating, but if you want to minimize how much you are
>     bothered in by spammers in the future, ignore all spams.
>
>   9.Off topic messages, while tolerated will probably bring lots of abuse
upon
>     yourself. If you feel it is appropriate to send an off topic message, put
>     "[OT]" in the subject line, some members of the list use mail filters and
>     this will allow them to ignore the off topic posts automagically.
>
>  10.Posts referencing Pirate sites or sources of "cracked" or "hacked"
>     software is not apporiate and may be illegal. If you are not sure if it
>     is okay to post the latest software you've found on the 'Net, then DON'T
>     until you have checked with the owners of the software and gotten their
>     permission. It would also be a good idea to indicate in your post that
you
>     have the owner's permission.
>
>  11.Below, I have specified the instructions for subscribing and signing off
>     the PICLIST. When you subscribe to the PICLIST, you will get a
>     confirmation note telling you how to access the commands and signing off.
>     Do not send a note to the PICLIST with "unsubscribe" or "signoff" in it
>     unless you want to be inundated with notes telling you how stupid,
>     insenstive, and rude you are. Instead, follow the instructions below for
>     signing off.
>
>     Just a couple of hints when signing off:
>        o When signing off the PICLIST, make sure you do it from the ID that
>          you originally subscribed to the List from.  The Mail Server cannot
>          keep track of Aliases and redirections.
>        o If you are having trouble signing off the PICLIST, sending an angry
>          note or a note with "unsubscribe" to the List will not be a positive
>          experience for you. Sending a note listing your problem and what
>          you've done to try to resolve it will be met with a much more
>          positive response.
>
>  12.Lastly, please try to be courteous to all on the PICLIST. Others may not
>     have your knowledge and experience or they may be sensitive about
>     different issues. There is a very high level of professionalism (for lack
>     of a better word) on this List, please help maintain it.
>
>     Being insulting or rude will only get the same back and probably have
your
>     posts and legitimate questions ignored in the future by others on the
list
>     who don't want to have anything to do with you.
>
>
>
>To subscribe to the list, send a note to listserv@mitmva.mit.edu with the
>message:
>
>  subscribe piclist your name
>
>In the body of the message.
>
>Save the confirmation message - this will give you the instructions for
signing
>off the list as well as instructions on how to access
>more advanced functions.
>
>To sign off the list, send a note to the same address
(listserv@mitmva.mit.edu)
>with the message:
>
>  signoff piclist
>
>Once you have subscribed to the PICLIST, you will begin receiving mail from
>piclist@mitmva.mit.edu notes can be sent to this
>address directly or can be replied to directly from your mailer.

myke

"One must invoke enough raw truth to punch a hole in the world" - Darl Af