Reflector Etiquette
General suggestions that will help you fit in better on lists
(E-mail reflectors).
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Save the welcome message you get when registering with a list.
This often includes instructions on how to unsubscribe, changing
from regular to digest mode, how to post, list rules, and a way
to contact the list moderator.
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Do not send HTML, rich text, or stylized email, or messages in
"quoted-printable" format.
Not all email programs of list members
will recognize such formats. Send messages in ASCII.
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Use common sense when posting.
Be aware that you always have two
options: responding through the list or to a member personally.
The content of your message should determine which of these you choose.
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Follow the list rules at all times.
If you're not sure whether your
post will violate the rules, ask the moderator or administrator
before you send it.
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Lurk and learn what's acceptable before posting to the list.
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Don't over-quote.
Include only the specific information you're
responding to, and chop out the rest.
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Keep posts to the list brief.
If you're post doesn't add value,
don't send it. (Example: Don't send a "thanks" message through the
list. Send something like that directly to the person you're thanking.)
If you have lengthy material that you are certain is of interest to
the group, put it in a web page and send the link. If you
don't have your own site, check with your friends, one of them will.
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If you do use information not your own, give proper credit.
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Be courteous to other list members.
If you disagree with them, fine,
just don't resort to personal insults.
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Consult the list archives, if available, before posting a question.
This is also a good way to become familiar with a list's acceptable
topics, etc.
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Consult the list FAQ if there is one available.
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Do not cross-post (send the same message to more than one list).
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If you feel the need to flame, send hate mail, or otherwise reprimand
another list member, do it off-list.
Failure to follow this
may be the reason you are no longer allowed to post to the list.
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Do not forward virus warnings and the like to a list unless it's
devoted to that topic.
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Don't post off subject items.
If your list is about one subject,
stick to that subject.
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Do not subscribe to lists with an email address with an autoresponder
function.
This includes "Out of Office Autoreply" and other
features. Doing this creates a large amount of wasted email. It can
also create a situation where the auto-reply triggers another
message which triggers another auto-reply, etc.
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Respect other people's opinions.
If you disagree, do it politely.
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Spell check and reread your messages before posting.
People
that fail to do this usually don't have anything to say, that's
worth reading.
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Do not blatantly promote yourself or otherwise spam the list.
Self-promotion should be kept to a brief signature file at the end of
your posts. Sig files shouldn't exceed 1-2 lines.
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Do not forward copyrighted material to the list unless you have
permission to do so. Sending a link to the material maintains
the copyright while spreading the information.
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DON'T USE ALL CAPS!
In today's Internet all caps is considered
"SHOUTING." With the exception of genealogy lists where only the
surnames may be in all caps.