COMMANDMENTS FOR LIST USE Hi guys. I've developed a list of rules and regs for the list. I think it about covers everything that is and isn't allowed on the list that might come into question, but if you have any comments or additions, do let me know. 1. ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGES SHOULD NEVER BE SENT TO THE LIST: In other words, requests to be added or removed from the list should ALWAYS be sent to the list's subscribe/unsubscribe address. 2. BEFORE SENDING A MESSAGE TO THE LIST, MAKE SURE THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THAT LIST: This seems pretty obvious, but you would be surprised at the number of people who send off topic messages to the list. If you must send an off topic post, be sure to alert the sibs by marking it as OT (off topic) in the subject line of the post. 3. IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH SOMETHING SAID ON THE LIST, SEND YOUR COMPLAINT DIRECTLY TO THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE MESSAGE, NOT THE ENTIRE LIST. Bearing this in mind remember, the list is part of a rather extensive archive featuring both general and adult fiction, including sections for Rape, Kinks and Death genres as well as many various other fun pages, something of a fanfic library, if you will, and like all libraries, there are some controversial bits, both fictional and discussion that might cross your mails. That is why we use the warnings. If something comes across with the warning of one of your personal squirks, dump the post. If you choose to read on, assume the responsibility for your own choice and don't blame the poster. Do not post flames off list or on. Flames are destructive both on and off list. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGES SHOULD NEVER BE SENT TO THE LIST. Don't do it. Don't even think about it. 5. NEVER CARRY ON DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHETHER A GIVEN DISCUSSION IS APPROPRIATE. This type of traffic has an unfortunate tendency to multiply and fill everyone's mailboxes with junk. Don't let yourself be drawn into the fray should someone else start this type of exchange. 6. BEFORE REPLYING TO A MESSAGE THAT HAS BEEN SENT TO THE LIST, CHECK YOUR MESSAGES TO MAKE SURE NO ONE ELSE HAS PROVIDED THE ANSWER.. Although one of the reasons that the list exists is to help members get quick answers to questions, the list can become overwhelmed if too many sibs respond with the same information. DO FEEL FREE TO ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT CAME ROUND OUT A DISCUSSION, THOUGH. 7. ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGES SHOULD NEVER BE SENT TO THE LIST. Sound familiar? 8. CHECK THE "TO" FIELD ON YOUR MESSAGE BEFORE YOU SEND IT. Some lists are set up so that replies go to the whole list, If you are replying to a message and want your message to be sent to the person who sent the original message, make sure that you change your "to" field so the message goes to the right place. This is a Gotcha that occasionally catches even experienced sibs, so don't feel bad if it happens to you. 9. MAKE SURE THAT THE SUBJECT FIELD OF YOUR MESSAGE PROVIDES AN INFORMATIVE SUMMARY OF THE CONTENTS OF YOUR MESSAGE. This will help sibs sort and file your messages. Those of you responding to a DIGEST, please CHANGE the subline so we know which part you are responding to. When a message strays to far from the original thread, change the sub line as well 10. KEEP THE GLOSS AND DUMP THE FLOSS. In other words, if you are responding to a portion of a longer message, cut out the parts that are not addressed. If need be, change the sub line to keep the thread named correctly. 11 FLAME ON/FLAME OFF: Occasionally a list member just needs to come on and vent. I don't mind these OT posts. We're something of a family here and family supports family. If you need to vent, alert the sibs that you are venting by including FLAME ON in the sub line. When the vent is over end the section with FLAME OFF. Again, this does not give permission to flame a sib. It simply allows you the right to expression your own opinion in a NON-DESTRUCTIVE manner. 12. PRAYER REQUESTS: I allow the occasional PRAYER REQUEST. If you want to share these times and ask for support from your sibs, I'm sure everyone will agree that that's kewl. 13. DO NOT EVER SEND SPAM TO THE LIST: Meaning, I don't want to see URLs that advert pay per view sites. Nor should you send any other types of adverts to the list. This does not cover cross-posted list related messages or stories. We want the discussion posts and stories, new and old. 14. AND FINALLY, ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS SHOULD NEVER BE SENT TO THE LIST. Never ever send a subscribe/unsubscribe post to the list. Send these requests DIRECTLY to the subscription/unsubscription address. When in doubt, go to the server site of the list and remove yourself there. Only if all else fails, send a request for removal to listmom PRIVATELY, not onlist. DISCLAIMERS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This list of commandments is based on the list of commandments found in the book "Internet Mailing Lists Navigator For Windows Users" but has been torqued to fit our needs. Want to use these commandments on your own list? Kewl, just let me know you're taking it. I like to know where my words end up.