[Ir-l] [IR-L]: List Guidelines

[Karen Banks]

hello again,

I'm going to post a few quidelines that can make participating in a list
easier and more effective for everyone (i hope..). 

Most of these guidelines are coming from our own experience in working
primarily in an 'online' medium. Most of APC's work is done completely
electronically - that is - we only meet face to face about once every 18
months. So we've gained quite some experience in working in this medium..

Guidelines for this list
------------------------
1) who's here - it's nice to know who you are speaking to and who's
listening.. this list has 73 subscribers. After i have posted the
*introduction* topic, please share just a line or two about you are and
what your interested in this list it.

2) jargon alert - this list has subscribers with varying degress of
interest and experience in technology and related issues. Never assume
that we will necessarily understand accronyms or jargon - especially
colloqial (casual) language. Spell out accronyms fully.

3) consideration for those for whom english is not a first language - this
list has subscribers from many countries. Many of these issues will have
impact beyond our national and even regional boundaries and therefore we
will be working together as an international community. 

** For those of us for whom english is our mother tongue - please use
plain english and if you must use colloqial or casual langauge - take the
time to explain the concept in plain english. **

4) length of postings - try to keep your posting to no more than 1 or 2
screenfuls. most of us find it difficult to maintain enthusiasm and time
for lists full of long postings.

5) 'tone and style' of discussion. Discussion over the past few weeks has
been quite animated, and at times, some of the language has become quite
'colorful' (meaning, that at times, it has been a little offensive for
some list members..)

** Please be mindful that there are many people on this list, (most of
whom have not contributed for - i imagine - a whole range of reasons),
many of who you have not met- and the tone and style of discussion can
most definitly affect the participation of other list members. **

6) subject lines - many of us are on many lists, and i'm sure all of us
receive too many emails. Having a clear subject line which gives an
indication of what your message is about both a) ensures your message has
a better chance of being read and b) is easier to file for later
reference. Which of the following messages would you be more interested
in reading?

Subject: Re: [IR-L] Re: Fwd: Re: Re: Fwd: Re: that last mes..
or
Subject: [IR-L] 2nd reading of RIP bill

Take a little time to edit your subject line, or change it if the content
of the message (ie discussion) has changed.

---

That will do for now.. i think the main guideline for anyone working in a
list is to be aware of the fact that you are actually speaking to a whole
room - sometimes a whole auditorium of people. Just because you can't see
them does not mean they are not there. They are listening, deciding wether
or not to put their hand up and join in, thinking through issues etc etc. 

Don't just hit that reply or send button without thinking of the
consequences..

happy list working..

karen