Hi Folks: The following message is posted for the benefit of "new" members of this TRAHAN Mailing List and will be re-posted on an ongoing basis. --------------------------------------------------------------- Here's a short-list of "do's and don't's" which I will be posting here on a regular basis. Many thanks for your cooperation...and enjoy. -DO NOT send attachments (attached files of any sort...this includes v-cards, GEDCOM files, zipped files or any other type of attachment). These messages DO NOT get processed by the Rootsweb software, thus the reason it's not possible for VIRUS to be posted directly to the Mailing List. -DO NOT send copies of complete Digest Mode messages, when replying to a post. Cut and paste the applicable message in your reply, only. -DO NOT repeat the entire "initial" message in your reply. Include only that portion of the message which is necessary to remind everyone, what you are replying to. Delete everything else (including headers, signatures, taglines)...use "cut and paste". -DO NOT use "auto-reply software" since this will result in duplicate messages being posted on the Mailing List. You MUST disable any "auto-reply software" once subscribed to the List. -DO NOT forward virus warnings (most of which are hoaxes), chain letters, "test" messages...or jokes (even _Acadian-Cajun_ jokes)! -DO NOT use signature files wider than 70 characters or longer than 4-5 lines, OR with long lists of surnames you are researching. And please do NOT include any graphics or long list of URL addresses, in your signature. As a matter of fact, you are encouraged NOT to include any signature... just your name and e-mail address. -DO NOT use HTML (styled text) or RTF (rich text format) in your messages...plain text only, no MIME format. Turn off the "Post in HTML'' or "Enriched Text'' features of your mail reader and don't use any attachments. See http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/listowners/html-off.htm for instructions on turning off HTML in most of the popular mail programs, or ask your own ISP's technical support line for help. -DO NOT cross-post messages to multiple Mailing Lists (or individuals) in the "To" or the "Cc" line of the e-mail. Use ONLY the ACADIAN-CAJUN-L@rootsweb.com address in the "To" field. -DO NOT post messages which are off-topic. This Mailing List is intended to be used PRIMARILY as an exchange medium, for ideas, information and specifics relating to Acadian-Cajun GENEALOGY and HISTORY. The Mailing List is most assuredly NOT the proper forum for discussing/posting Acadian-Cajun jokes, Acadian-Cajun recipes, Acadian-Cajun computer problems (and virus warnings), Acadian-Cajun medical problems, as well as "politically oriented views" vis-a- vis French, English etc etc (add your own list here). -DO NOT use all-capital letters when writing e-mail messages. Similarly, do not use ALL lower case...which makes the message more difficult to read. It only takes a moment to proof-read your message _before_ hitting the "send" button...do so. At the very minimum, use the spell check of your e-mail program. -DO NOT flame other members of the mailing list. I enjoy lively debates (especially when they're educational) as much as anyone...as long as your comments don't get "personal". ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -DO continue to participate actively. -DO encourage your Acadian-Cajun friends to join the Mailing List. -DO review the guidelines to using this Mailing List at... http://www.acadian.org/rootsweb.html -DO enjoy yourself to the fullest. -DO be nice to one another. ------------------------------------------------------------ And finally, as a couple of _former_ subscribers could attest to, if you are contacted privately by me with a request to adhere to a specific guideline/policy, I expect you to likewise reply to me _privately_. This Mailing List is NOT the forum to discuss these matters. Thanks in advance for your anticipated cooperation. YVON L. CYR, cajun@acadian.org Facilitator of Rootsweb's TRAHAN Mailing List. For details visit URL : http://www.acadian.org/rootsweb.html