ADMIN: Misc and Posting Rules Reminder

["Eric J. Ray" <ejray -at- RAYCOMM -dot- COM>]

Three things:

First, note the bit in the rules about grammar
discussions on the list and please take generalized
grammar discussions to a good reference book or
to a list that focuses on grammar issues.

Second, for the many of you who have taken the time
over the past two weeks to complain about the digest
format (or other technical issues related to the
listserv software), I'd suggest first reading and following
the instructions that you got when you subscribed.
I've yet to see a problem with the digest format that
following the instructions couldn't fix to everyone's
satisfaction. I have little patience with complaints
that clearly indicate that the complainer hasn't bothered
to try reading and following the directions first,
and little patience with people who _complain_ rather
than offering solutions or asking for advice. There's
a difference.

If you feel strongly enough to complain publicly about the
technical functionality of the list or to (rather than
just following the instructions) suggest to the listowner that
he should spend some additional time researching how
other listowners run other lists, you should probably
contact the manufacturer of the Listserv software at
www.lsoft.com--I've no doubt that they'd be delighted
to apply your expertise and extra time to the next
release of the product.

Third, to all 80+ of you who sent lengthy, thoughtful
responses to the "Listowner as Jerk" message, I've
received your messages, read them all, and will respond
as soon as possible--we've got a book due next Monday,
so it'll be a little while, probably.

Thanks!
Eric


POSTING RULES FOR TECHWR-L
     Revised 31 July 1998

I strongly encourage everyone to read and understand these
rules before posting to TECHWR-L. Any list member may
be removed from the list, at the listowner's discretion,
for flagrant or repeated infractions. Additionally, if
you are abusive to the listowner or other list members,
you may be removed from the list.


     CHECK THE ARCHIVES BEFORE POSTING! Archives are available at
     http://www.documentation.com/techwrit/techwrit-l.htm
     and at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
     and at http://www.dejanews.com/ and at http://www.reference.com/.

     WHAT TO POST
     * If it is about technical communication and of general
       interest, post it.
     * If it is about technical communication and original and
       humorous, post it.
        * If it is a job offer for technical communicators, post it.

     WHAT NOT TO POST
     * If it doesn't clearly and directly relate to technical
       communication, don't post it.
     * If it relates to _language use_ but not technical
       communication, it probably isn't appropriate.
       Don't post it.
     * If it relates to _computer use_ but not technical
       communication, it probably isn't appropriate.
       Don't post it.
     * If it continues an irrelevant thread in any way
       (rebuttal, rebuke, rerun, revision, remark), don't
       post it.
     * If it is a personal message to a single subscriber,
       don't post it. Even if mail to that person bounces.
     * If you aren't sure, don't post it.
     * If it is a test message, do not post it. Ever. Contact
       the listowner if you have problems posting or with your
       subscription.
     * If it is something cute, interesting, or funny that
       you found on the Internet (e.g. Dr. Seuss on Tech
       Writing, origin of spam), don't post it. I assure
       you that most readers have seen it already.

     OTHER
     * Check your facts on anything you post. Do not under
       any circumstances post virus warnings or anything else
       designed to be "forwarded to everyone you know" to this
       list.
     * Do not directly attack anyone for anything on the list.
       Take issue with ideas, not personalities, and do
       NOT point out grammatical, spelling, or usage errors.
       This forum is not the place to exercise editorial
       frustration.
     * Edit all unnecessary quoted messages and TECHWR-L footers
       out of your postings, and make sure that you send only
       plain text messages and no attachments to the list.
     * Please do post job ads -- they are welcome. Please
       put the location and general job description in the
       Subject line. E.g. something like
       JOB: Sr. Tech Writer, SF, California, USA.
     * Do not post job ad critiques. If you don't like the
       job, don't apply. If you have an issue with the
       terminology or phrasing, take it up off-line
       with the company.
     * Please do not post other ads in any form, for they are
       not welcome. The one exception is for ads that directly
       address a topic under discussion on the list. For example, if
       a reader posts a question about snazzling software and
       the company you work for makes Snazzler for Doors, posting
       information about the product would be fine.
     * Please make sure your E-mail address is included in
       the body of the message you post to the list.
     * If responses are sent to you--not to the whole list--please
       summarize and post the entire summary back to the list.
       A summary should include attributions so others can pick
       up conversations offline if necessary with original posters.
       When you send a summary back to the list, use the word
       "SUMMARY" as the first word of the "Subject" line."
     * Direct all commentary about this message to my
       address, not the list.





*********************************************************
* Eric J. Ray, ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com, http://www.raycomm.com/
* TECHWR-L Listowner, co-author _Mastering HTML 4.0_
*   _HTML 4 for Dummies Quick Reference_, and others.
* See our overhauled Web site at http://www.raycomm.com

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