Re: Be a Macway EvangeList

[Tony Rocco <tony_rocco -at- NAVIS -dot- COM>]

                      RE>>Be a Macway EvangeList                   8/15/96

Let me explain: many tech writers use Macs and love them a lot, like me. I
did not know about this MacEvangeList list until recently. I was overjoyed
when I heard about it and figured other tech writers like myself who love
Macs would be interested. Not all, but some. So, I posted the info. My
apologies to those who consider it useless junk.

I am usually one of the first to pop off about irrelevant stuff on the tech
writer list, but I thought this was relevant. Of course, I am heavily biased
toward the Mac, wouldn't even be working in this industry if not for its
existence, so my judgement might be clouded.

I would like to know how others on the list feel. Was my post useless and
irrelevant or did you think it appropriate? Thanks.

--------------------------------------
Date: 8/15/96 15:15
To: Tony Rocco
From: Eric J. Ray
Doesn't seem quite relevant to me, unless I missed something big.
Eric


******************************************************
Eric J. Ray                            ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com
TECHWR-L Listowner

--- On Thu, 15 Aug 1996 10:50:52 U  Tony Rocco <tony_rocco -at- NAVIS -dot- COM> wrote:

>Mail*Link(r) SMTP               Be a Macway EvangeList

>Macaholic tech writers like me might be interested in joining this mailing
>list from Guy Kawasaki. It is called the Macway EvangeList.Info follows.Hey,
>30,000 subscribers can't be wrong!

>--------------------------------------
>Date: 8/14/96 22:50
>From: Tony G. Rocco
>MacWay -at- aol -dot- com wrote:
>>
>> Note: This email address is monitored by a Claris Emailer mail action. No
>> one "reads" the mail sent to it. Every incoming message simply generates
>> this automated response. You can write to Guy Kawasaki at <gkway -at- aol -dot- com>.
>>
>> If you'd like to skip all this carefully crafted verbiage and simply sign
>> up for EvangeList, you can do this at
>> <http://www.evangelist.macaddict.com/> in the About Evangelist area.
>>
>> ____________________
>>
>> INTRODUCTION
>> ____________________
>>
>> Thanks for checking out Guy Kawasaki's EvangeList! The purpose of this
>> mailing list is to quickly get information to the evangelists (official
>> and unofficial) of Macintosh.
>>
>> EvangeList is not a list server to talk to others. It's here to help you
>> spread the word about Apple's insanely great computers. In other words,
>> it's ONLY good news--there is no "sky-is-falling" junk here! There's
>> already been many documented cases of EvangeList postings helping sell
>> Macintoshes and unsell PC clones.
>>
>> For example, if you were already a subscriber, you would have learned
>> about these developments:
>>
>> - The San Jose Mercury uses Macintosh to produce its paper--even while
>> its reporters predict Apple's gloom.
>> - Harvard Business School has standardized on Macintosh for its executive
>> programs.
>> - Stewart Alsop, editor in chief of InfoWorld, couldn't get the CD-ROM in
>> Bill Gates's book to run on Windows NT.
>> - Santa uses a Macintosh for his Web site.
>> - The NHL uses PowerBooks to score its games.
>>
>> If you'd like to get previous postings, here are archives:
>>
>> <http://www.documentation.com/macway/macway.htm>
>> <http://wais.sensei.com.au/searchform.html>
>> <http://wais.sensei.com.au/archives/macway/>
>> <ftp://solutions.apple.com/pub/macway/>
>> <http://www.zdnet.com/macuser/macway/>
>>
>> Please forward this message to anyone who can help us in the battle!
>> Right now there are 30,000 members--a rule of thumb is that this means
>> 200,000 people read the messages, so get on board!
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Guy Kawasaki
>> <mailto: "Guy Kawasaki" gkway -at- aol -dot- com>
>>
>> ____________________
>>
>> INSTRUCTIONS
>> ____________________
>>
>> If you cannot figure out how to subscribe or alter your profile, the web
>> master can help you. He can be contacted at:
>>
>> <mailto: "Chuq Von Rospach" chuqui -at- plaidworks -dot- com>
>>
>> Subscribing
>>
>> To subscribe to the list send an email message to:
>>
>>    <listproc -at- solutions -dot- apple -dot- com>
>>
>> include in the body of the message the string:
>>
>>    SUBSCRIBE MACWAY and enter your real name
>>
>> Getting Digests
>>
>> If you want to get all the messages as Guy sends them (he sends a whole
>> bunch almost every day), all you need to do is subscribe as explained
>> above. On the other hand, if you'd like to just get all Guy's messages
>> once per day in a nice package, then we suggest that you get a digest
>> version of the list.
>>
>> To do this, first subscribe to the list as we explained above. After
>> you've received confirmation that you're on EvangeList, then send an
>> email message to:
>>
>>    <listproc -at- solutions -dot- apple -dot- com>
>>
>> include in the body of the message the string:
>>
>>    SET MACWAY MAIL DIGEST
>>
>> Turning off Digests
>>
>> To get out of digest mode and get the mail one piece at a time, send an
>> email message to:
>>
>>    <listproc -at- solutions -dot- apple -dot- com>
>>
>> include in the body of the message the string:
>>
>>      SET MACWAY MAIL ACK
>>
>> Turning off digest mode does not unsubscribe you. You have to unsubscribe
>> by using the instructions explained next. However, you  don't need to
>> turn off digest and then unsubscribe--you can unsubscribe in one swoop.
>>
>> Unsubscribing
>>
>> To get off the list entirely (even though we hate to see you go!), send
>> an email message to:
>>
>>    <listproc -at- solutions -dot- apple -dot- com>
>>
>> include in the body of the message the string:
>>
>>       UNSUBSCRIBE MACWAY
>>
>> ____________________
>>
>> EVANGELIST FAQ by Guy Kawasaki
>> ____________________
>>
>> - Content of EvangeList
>>
>> Q. Who decides what gets posted to EvangeList?
>> A. I decide. Sometimes Michelle Sain ("the other Guy") posts the message
>> when it requests info that she keeps in a database.
>>
>> Q. Does anyone at Apple censor or approve your postings?
>> A. Does Phil Jackson tell Michael Jordan when he can dunk? If I wanted to
>> just be a well-paid mouthpiece, I probably could have been a Windows 95
>> spokesperson. (I kid you not.)
>>
>> Q. Are there archives of EvangeList postings?
>> A. Yes:
>>
>> <http://wais.sensei.com.au/searchform.html>
>> <http://wais.sensei.com.au/archives/macway/>
>> <ftp://solutions.apple.com/pub/macway/>
>>
>> Q. Why do you seem to preach only to the converted?
>> A. Because the converted carry the battle forward, and, as I said above,
>> there are many roles in this battle. Some ministers preach to a
>> congregation of believers every Sunday. Others go into areas where
>> Christianity has not yet taken hold. Some preach via servers. EvangeList
>> is just one of the things that I do as an Apple Fellow. Trust me: I go
>> into the jungle a lot.
>>
>> Q. Why do you post press releases when I can read the announcements in
>> magazines?
>> A. Because I can't be certain that everyone gets every magazine; that
>> they will read the articles; and that the magazines will cover every
>> press release. Also, sometimes the press doesn't quite get things right.
>> :-)
>>
>> Q. Why do you post special offers and other sales propaganda from
>> developers?
>> A. Because getting the latest, greatest, and coolest stuff helps people
>> evangelize Macintosh. Also, this is a big help for developers to generate
>> word-of-mouth advertising. I'll do almost anything for a Macintosh
>> developer.
>>
>> Q. Is there a way I can tell what a posting is about without reading the
>> whole thing?
>> A. I _try_ to use this code:
>>
>> ;-) Joke/funny story
>> PR  Press release
>> $$  Special offer
>> !!  Action item encouraged by EvangeListas
>> ??  Question posed by list subscriber
>>
>> You could set up a mail action or filter in your email client to
>> automatically delete subjects that begin with $, for example, if you hate
>> getting sales propaganda. But then don't blame me if you miss the special
>> offer for EvangeList members of 9500s for $500. :-)
>>
>> Q. How do I submit something for posting?
>> A. Just send it to me: <macway -at- aol -dot- com> Put the words "EvangeList
>> posting" in the subject line of the message because Claris Emailer is
>> searching for this string.
>>
>> Q. What are you looking for?
>> A. Anything that helps Macintosh evangelists promote the Macintosh cause:
>> anecdotes, tips, pointers to URLs, survey sites, etc. I don't want copies
>> of "Internet humor." For example, I must have received 50 copies of the
>> story of Bill Gates going to heaven and 500 copies of what would happen
>> if Microsoft designed cars.
>>
>> Q. Can I re-post EvangeList stuff? Can I use them in my newsletter?
>> A. It would be my honor and pleasure though  sometimes I post articles
>> that I only received permission to use on EvangeList. These you have to
>> ask the originator for permission to use. I denote copyrighted material
>> in the first paragraph.
>>
>> Q. Why do you attach your signature to every message?
>> A. Because I'm an egomaniac and because the bulk of the readers of
>> EvangeList postings are recipients of forwards and BBS users. The
>> signature needs to be on every posting, so that these people can see how
>> to join EvangeList.
>>
>> Q. Why does the digest version contain a signature for every message?
>> Can't it just be at the end?
>> A. The digest version is completely automated. It is simply a compilation
>> of postings. The list server software doesn't have the ability to cut
>> every signature and add only one at the end of the digest.
>>
>> - EvangeList and Me
>>
>> Q. Why did I start getting EvangeList in digest form?
>> A. Sometimes the server gets bogged down because too many people are
>> signing up and I'm posting too much stuff. In a crisis, we sometimes have
>> to use digest mode to reduce postings. At any given moment the server is
>> processing 140,000 messages.
>>
>> Q. Why do I sometimes receive postings more than once? My friends on
>> EvangeList don't.
>> A. When the server crashes, it sometimes doesn't know who was sent
>> postings, so it sends it to the entire batch of recipients again. If your
>> friends aren't in the same batch, then they wouldn't get the postings
>> again.
>>
>> Q. Do you kick people off the subscription list? Sometimes it seems like
>> I stop getting postings for no reason.
>> A. Hardly a day goes by when I don't post a few messages to EvangeList,
>> so you should expect something everyday. If the server gets backed up or
>> crashes, then maybe you'll go two days without any messages.
>>
>> Anything longer than two days, however, means something is probably
>> wrong. There are only two reasons why people are removed from the list:
>> 1) their server generates error messages and brings our server to a halt;
>> or 2) they go on vacation and leave a mail action/filter that sends me
>> dozens of messages that say, "Hi, Jody is on vacation and won't be back
>> for two weeks. In the meantime, please contact her secretary, Bruce, at
>> 415-555-1212."
>>
>> No one in the Macintosh community knows when more people are on vacation
>> than I do. Frankly, this is a distinction I can do without. Do me a
>> favor: set up a mail action or filter like: Automatically respond UNLESS
>> sender contains "Macway" when you go to Maui.
>>
>> Q. Why do you post URLs instead of the articles themselves?
>> A. I realize that this means less people will read the articles because
>> they aren't directly delivered via the posting. However, many articles
>> are copyrighted, so I can't simply re-post them.
>>
>> - Changing Your Profile
>>
>> Q. Can you alter my profile--such as whether I get a digest version?
>> A. I, Guy Kawasaki, cannot. Chuq Von Rospach, the web master, can.
>> However, he maintains about a dozen lists, so it's a inefficient use of
>> his cycles. If you really get stuck, here's Chuq's URL:
>>
>> <mailto: "Chuq Von Rospach" chuqui -at- plaidworks -dot- com>
>>
>> Q. Then how do I get a digest version of the postings?
>> A. Send an email message to: <listproc -at- solutions -dot- apple -dot- com> and include
>> in the body of the message the string, "SET MACWAY MAIL DIGEST"
>>
>> Q. How do I unsubscribe?
>> A. Send an email message to:
>> <listproc -at- solutions -dot- apple -dot- com> and include in the body of the message the
>> string, "UNSUBSCRIBE MACWAY"
>>
>> - Contacting Guy
>>
>> Q. If I send you a message about a posting, will you respond?
>> A. Usually but not always. Sometimes I get so swamped that I can't: 300
>> emails/day x 1/2 minute/email = 150 minutes.
>>
>> Rest assured that even if I don't respond, either I or one of my
>> assistants read every message. (You can tell who is responding to you: if
>> the response is long, thought-out, and polite, it's from my assistants.
>> If it's curt and to the point, it's from me.)
>>
>> Also, sometimes I get impossible-to-answer questions that I just don't
>> know what to do with. For example:
>>
>> 1) "Why isn't Copland shipping yet?"
>>
>> 2) "Why does your advertising suck?"
>>
>> Q. You post messages from several accounts. Does it matter which one we
>> use to write to you?
>> A. It doesn't. I use Claris Emailer, so all accounts are equal for me.
>>
>> - The Bottom Line
>>
>> Q. What can I do to stop the hegemony?
>> A. Here's a list of Simple Things You Can Do to Save Apple Computer:
>>
>> - Wear Apple/Macintosh garb to show the world that we're not crawling
>> into holes and dying.
>>
>> - Strike up a conversation with people you see using
>> Macintosh--especially on airplanes. Reinforce that they did the right
>> thing.
>>
>> - When you stay at a hotel, go see if there are Macintoshes in the
>> business center. If there is, thank the person. If there isn't, ask why
>> not.
>>
>> - When you see people using a PC (a dead giveaway of PC laptop is that
>> Solitaire is running), ask them if their company forced them to use it.
>>
>> - Ask store clerks why there isn't more Macintosh software on the shelves.
>>
>> - Ask store clerks why there aren't more Macintosh models for sale.
>>
>> - If you hear a store clerk spreading ignorance and lies, wait until the
>> clerk has left (usually 45 seconds) and go talk to the customer about
>> their computer needs.
>>
>> - Check to see that the Macintosh floor models are running and their
>> desktops are orderly. Do not, however, sabotage the PCs. This creates bad
>> Karma.
>>
>> - Forward EvangeList postings to as many people as you can.
>>
>> - Write a letter to the publications that publish stupid, insipid,
>> inaccurate, and unfair stories. (This will keep you really busy right
>> now.) Most journalists are insecure and perceptive: after the 300th
>> flaming message, they'll get the picture.
>>
>> - Donate your old Macintosh to a school, church, or other not-for-profit.
>> Every Macintosh out there sells more Macintoshes.
>>
>> - Read MacUser, Macworld (even though the inside back column just isn't
>> what it used to be), MacWEEK, and MacToday on airplanes and then leave
>> them in the seat pockets for the next passenger.
>>
>> - Copy this signature and use it in your own email:
>>
>> _______________
>> Do you believe in Macintosh? Check out the EvangeList web site at:
>> <http://www.evangelist.macaddict.com/>.
>>
>> ________________
>> Do you believe in Macintosh? Learn how to help the cause by subscribing
>> to the "EvangeList" listserver by sending an email to
>> <evangelist -at- macway -dot- com>. And check out the EvangeList web site:
>> <http://www.evangelist.macaddict.com/>.

>--
>"I Miss Her Sometimes" by Somebody (Revised)
>>
>> Yesterday I ran into my old girlfriend
>> Then I backed up and ran into her again
>> I miss her sometimes.

>                  TECHWR-L List Information
>To send a message about technical communication to 2500+ list readers,
>E-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot-  Send administrative commands
>         ALL other questions or problems concerning the list
>       should go to the listowner, Eric Ray, at ejray -at- ionet -dot- net -dot- 




-----------------End of Original Message-----------------


******************************************************
Eric J. Ray                            ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com
TECHWR-L Listowner

                  TECHWR-L List Information
To send a message about technical communication to 2500+ list readers,
E-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot-  Send administrative commands
         ALL other questions or problems concerning the list
       should go to the listowner, Eric Ray, at ejray -at- ionet -dot- net -dot-