GUIDELINES FOR POSTING TO A LIST

Email is great for communications, one-to-one and one-to-many. Whether this is good or bad depends on how you use it. This page is meant to provide a few tips for making email lists work for all of us.

The attributes of email are: ease; a handy record; overcomes mismatches in schedules; cheapness; saves time; replaces meetings; fosters a sense of community. Subscribers have however certain expectations of the list - they expect to get specific information on specific topics from specific people. They should not be forced to receive other types of material.

Lists have a purpose - ours are for professional business. It is important to post only info directly related to the topic of the list; you owe it to your colleagues only to post info that they absolutely have to see. Do not post anything unless you are certain that it is appropriate for the list - if you aren't sure contact the list owner first. Don't pass on info you get via Internet, since we have probably all seen it elsewhere already - common topics are fake virus warnings. Before you post an advertisement contact the list owner. As a rule, use a Usenet group instead. Posting commercial advertisements using University resources could be a serious violation of University policies.

In most cases do not reply to the whole list, but respond just to the author to avoid cluttering mailboxes. Avoid email storms whereby we get repeated requests to stop off-topic postings, or requests to unsubscribe the sender. Do not post to lists if you are not a bona fide member - this is like walking uninvited into a private meeting and breaking into the discussion.

If you are annoyed by a posting, email that person privately. Remember to be kind, the sender just made a mistake as we all do. If you can't resolve the issue contact the list owner.

1. Review you messages before posting them
2. Be especially polite, as readers cannot tell whether you are joking.
3. Never send negative messages. Don't be terse. Use the phone instead.
4. Don't reply to the whole list.
5. Don't use capital letters: this is SHOUTING and is considered RUDE.
6. Use emoticons :) :(
7. Make the type of info clear (e.g. is this "official"?)
8. The message must support the official business of the list or the group.
9. The info must be needed by the recipients.
10. It must be clear to the recipient why the message was received.
11. Only one topic per posting please, and subject heading must relate precisely to the content.
12. The message must be brief and to the point.
13. Don't echo back long messages.
14. Don't edit quoted messages to change their meaning.
15. Your message should in most cases be time-critical.
16. All postings must follow the University's policies on Acceptable Use, Misconduct, etc.
17. Moreover, in a professional environment such as this, postings should conform to professional standards and ethics - e.g. never make unsubstantiated accusations or sweeping claims.
18. Don't react to a flame, but post a brief apology for unintended impact or acceptable use.
19. Never send a message when you are angry or upset.
20. Be patient with inexperienced list users.
21. Give senders the benefit of the doubt.
22. Posting of info that is merely interesting, or nice to know such as info about extraneous events, or articles for sale, or opinion, is not acceptable on these special-purpose listservers.
23. Always reply directly to the emailer rather than the list, unless all members clearly need the info.
24, Think before Send.
25. Enjoy the list's benefits and share your enjoyment by being pleasant.
 

Arising from some recent concerns, please do not post on these technical lists material that:

26. is purely religious in nature
27. appeals for financial or similar help
28. is purely political
29. attempts to promote or sell services or stuff
30. promotes personal "opportunities"
31. broadcasts an unpleasant gripe
32. broadcasts a criticism of a product that cannot be responded to in the spirit of these rules