Everyone, Due to some recent turmoil on one of my lists, it has become necessary to implement some guidelines for behavior on our mailing list. I would like your input. Are there any logical rules that I left out? Do you have any suggestions for improving the listing? It will be altered as situations arrive but I hope this was the first and last incident. Please email me [email protected] privately if any of these issues are unreasonable to you. I don't think everyone wants to discuss this on the list. Use common sense about dealing with other researchers. You can't badger someone into giving you information. Why alienate someone who has infomation you need and may be willing to help you later? Although #6 b is last on my list, it may be the smartest way for you to handle things yourself before you get a first warning. Jane Guidelines for Mailing Lists (or How To Be Nice) 1. Do not flame other researchers on the list. If you must let someone know that you disagree, do so privately. Flaming on the list will be adequate reason for removal from the list. 2. Do not forward a personal email to the list. If you must let someone know that you disagree, do so privately. Forwarding a personal email will be adequate reason for removal from the list. 3. Post a meaningful subject line. List the specific surname(s) not "genealogy search" or "need help". We have a few researchers that are familar with a variety of names in the county, but most researchers have limited interest in the county. 4. Think about the usefulness of the information you want to send. If it is something that may benefit the entire group, use the REPLY ALL key which will send the message to the group. Otherwise, please reply only to the sender. 5. Avoid sending posts over 20K. a) If you are responding to a previous email, please only quote the portion to which you are responding in order to maintain continuity. b) If you are forwarding several generations of descendents, please split them into smaller groups. Depending on the scope of your information, I think 3 or 4 generations will be about 20 K. 6. The list manager will issue one warning before bumping anyone from the list. a) If you feel you need to argue about being warned, send it to [email protected] privately. Do not post it to the list. I will consider this the second time you have violated these rules and you will be bumped. b) If you are angry, do yourself a favor and unsubscribe yourself, then you have an option to return later when your temper is in control. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com