appropriate topics, etc.
- To: i*@Rt66.com
- Subject: appropriate topics, etc.
- From: t*@Lanl.GOV (Tom Tadfor Little)
- Date: Mon, 8 Apr 1996 11:39:16 -0600
There have been a few queries lately of the sort "Is this an appropriate
topic?", "Is this message too long?", etc.
The welcome message for this list includes the "official" statement about
such issues, but I thought I should flesh it out with a little more
specific guidance.
First, I have NEVER seen a message posted to this list from our subscribers
that I thought was off-topic or too long. I have a very liberal interpretation
of what's on-topic. Most of us would be a little peeved to sign on some
morning and see twenty messages about breeding show dogs, arguing the
doctrine of the immaculate conception, or discussing Bob Dole's congressional
voting record. But one or two messages about proteas wouldn't bother me in
the least.
My attitude is that a BRIEF excursion into any GARDENING topic is just fine.
The warning about long postings was not to discourage lengthy writing about
irises; rather it's just a reminder to watch what you're sending. If I post
the "Bios" file and you see something that you want to comment on, don't
append the whole hideous thing to your reply--that sort of thing.
The only problem I've notice at all so far is the occasional posting of
a message directed to only one person. It's an easy mistake to make (I've
done it myself), but it's good to strive to keep a "heightened awareness"
of when your messages are going to the list and when they're going to a
particular individual. I'm *not* talking about iris discussion that others
on the list may enjoy--I'm referring to things like "Hey Joe, what's your
phone number again? I called last night and got some one else's answering
machine". (Fictitious example, but you get the idea.)
The list is doing great; it nearly runs itself, which is the way it
should be. So I don't think anyone need feel awkward about whether they
may be violating some rule or other; just try to respect the courtesy
suggestions given in the welcome message and ENJOY!
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Tom Tadfor Little tlittle@lanl.gov -or- telp@Rt66.com
technical writer/editor Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Telperion Productions http://www.rt66.com/~telp/
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