* * * * * * * * * * * * * > > MAILING LIST TIDBITS > > by Cyndi Howells <http://www.CyndisList.com> > > A "listowner/moderator/administrator" maintains a mailing list. > This is usually the person who originally established the list and > determined the purpose of the list and any rules associated with > it. They are also the one who helps those who need help to subscribe > and unsubscribes from the list successfully. > > Messages sent to mailing lists are forwarded via e-mail to a > software program, which then distributes a copy of the message to > each of the subscribers on that list. > > There are at least two different e-mail addresses associated with > each mailing list. The first address is used for sending > "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" commands by e-mail. The second > address is used to send e-mail messages to all of the other > subscribers on the mailing list. Pay close attention to the > differences between these two e-mail addresses, so that you know > you are using the right address for the proper function. > > Most mailing lists have two versions: mail mode and digest mode. > Mail mode is for individual messages to be delivered one at a > time to each subscriber. Digest mode is for several messages to > be delivered to each subscriber in one message. > > After you successfully subscribe to a mailing list you will > receive a welcome message with details on how that particular > list works. Keep a copy of the welcome message. > > These suggestions apply to mailing lists and are also good rules > for regular e-mail correspondence. The last thing in the world > you want to do is inadvertently offend that cousin who has the > priceless records about your ancestors. > > Read the subscription (subscribe and unsubscribe) instructions > carefully and follow them exactly. Don't pester the listowner for > personal help. Try subscribing and unsubscribing at least five > times before you ask for help. You can do it! Read -- don't skim > -- the welcome message, FAQ, Web page or any other information > sent to you regarding the mailing list and how it works. The > rules do apply to you. Follow them. > > After joining a mailing list, "lurk" (read, do not respond) for a > while. Use the correct e-mail address when posting or replying to > messages. If you want to reply to someone privately, be sure you > are not replying to the entire list. Look at the "TO:" window in > your e-mail before you hit that "REPLY" button. > > Do not send "test" messages to mailing lists. (Mailing lists > work; you don't have to "test" them.) > > Never return an entire letter, message, or newsletter to the > sender or to the mailing list. Check the automatic functions on > your e-mail program to avoid this. Turn that function off. > > Do not post any inappropriate messages to a list. For example, > don't post genealogical queries about when/where your great- > grandparents were married to a list that deals with those > coordinating work on compiling cemetery records for a state or > county. Don't send any requests for genealogical research to a > Webmaster or listowner/moderator/administrator. > > Do not use your signature file if it contains long lists of > surnames, or your favorite sayings, etc., and always turn it off > before you attempt to subscribe or unsubscribe from a mail list. > > Do not send file attachments to mailing lists. > > Do not send or forward junk mail or virus warnings to a mailing > list. See: Internet Stuff You Need to Know at > http://www.CyndisList.com/internet.htm> > > Do not cross-post the same message to numerous mailing lists. > > Do not post personal information about yourself or living family > members to any mailing lists. > > When responding to queries, quote your sources precisely. > Indicate titles of books, Web site addresses, library names or > any other reference you have used. > > REPLYING TIPS > > If you decide to reply to a question on a mailing list, determine > whether it will be of general interest to all subscribers. If > not, send a private e-mail to the person who posted the question. > > Do not post personal replies or thank-you messages to a mailing > list. Send these messages directly to the individual. > > When replying to a message found on a mailing list digest, do not > repeat the entire text of the original message with your reply. > Repeat only enough text from the original message that is > necessary to clarify your reply or to remind the recipient about > the original topic. > > AVOIDING PROBLEMS > > Mailing lists are like genealogical societies or any group of > people -- composed of many different types of personalities. > Remember that misunderstandings can happen easily, as it is > impossible to convey body language via e-mail. Avoid topics and > discussions that may be controversial in nature. > > Do not participate in name-calling or other "flaming." > > Do not assume anything. Clarify all statements before you react. > > Be patient with all "newbies" to a mailing list. Remember that we > all had to start somewhere! > > The Internet is a global community; therefore be tolerant of > others who use English, French, or any language differently than > you do. Watch your slang and acronyms. Language that is readily > understood and socially acceptable in the United States or > Australia might be incomprehensible or even embarrassing to your > British, Canadian, or German cousins. > > STRATEGIES AND REWARDS > > Sign your e-mail with your name and e-mail address. Not all > e-mail software automatically provides this information in the > headers. Make it easy on your cousins, so they can contact you. > > Give a mailing list a fair chance to prove useful. Don't be > discouraged if a list is low in traffic or if there are lulls in > the conversations. Hang around on a list for a while before you > decide to quit. Remember it is a two-way street. Don't ask what > all you can GET from a list -- offer to GIVE something.