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AGS
List
Netiquette
FAQ's
Q. I'm new,
how do I know what to post?
A. Since you
just joined the list, monitor the messages for a few days to get
a feel for what
common questions or topics are asked. This is
known as 'lurking'. Once you understand the
basic issues, you
can start posting threads.
Q. What is a
thread?
A. A thread
is a subject or the topic of discussion. Normally, what you see
in the subject of
you email file is the current thread.
Q. Can anyone
start a thread?
A. Yes, and
please make sure when you post to the list, to have this thread
tabbed. If you're
talking about Try-Its, post the thread as
"Try-its". Don't leave it as Upset Leader - that was
posted a
week ago. This also makes for easy archive retrieval.
Q. What types
of threads are acceptable?
A. Well, in
truth almost any.
Q. How can we
address issues without backlash?
A. Remember
that these discussions are public and meant for constructive
exchanges. We
all have our own opinions and we all have the
right, WITHIN BOUNDARIES (caps for emphasis),
to air them. We
must respect this and accept what others post. My point is in
responding to
issues you may disagree with, resist the
temptation to "flame" others.
Q. What will
happen if someone over steps this boundary?
A. They will
be placed on moderation. Everything they send in will be
monitored and must be approved by a moderator before it is
posted to the list. Worst case - they will be Banned.
Q. What should
be remembered in posting to the list?
A. First,
this list, AllGirlScouts, is just that. We do have younger
adults and Girl Scouts on this
list, so please remember how you
word things. Second, please fill out your subject line with your
main topic of discussion. That way if people want to respond to
your thread, it is a simple click
of reply to sender.
Q. Do I have
to share my ideas or responses?
A. No. If you
want to address someone or a topic with someone privately, just
click the personal
email that is provided on each email stating
who sent the thread, and it will go to them instead of
the list.
Q. Can I use
other peoples ideas?
A. Yes and
No. First the Yes. In posting to the list, putting things on
websites, sending emails, everyone can gather the information
and save it. This term is called making compilations. Some
of us
live for it. And when someone later asks for information. Boom,
there it is! Now the No.
Taking other peoples ideas and using
them for your benefit or taking credit for something
someone
else did is not acceptable. A quick remedy to this is a simple
private email asking if
you can use the work that person has
done (either with your troop or SU or on a website. Most
often
you will get a yes. Sometimes you will get a no. Respect that
and do as they ask.
Other
Considerations
·
When replying to a message posted to a discussion group, check
the address to be certain
it's going to the intended location
(person or group). It can be very embarrassing if you reply
incorrectly and post a personal message to the entire discussion
group that was intended
for an individual. (Yes we all do this
from time to time.)
·
Occasionally subscribers to the list who are not familiar with
proper netiquette will submit
requests to SUBSCRIBE or
UNSUBSCRIBE directly to the list itself. Be tolerant of this
activity,
and if anything, send them kind words on how to solve
the dilemma that needs attention.
·
When composing your message, TAKE OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Sending
messages in all
capital letters indicates that you are
"yelling". If you want to emphasize one or a few words
by
capitalizing them, please let members know (for example - WE DID
IT!!! (caps for
emphasis). Properly placed capitalization and
punctuation makes your message more
"readable" and
understandable. Lack of initial capital letters at the beginning
of sentences
and periods at the end of sentences cause confusion
and can change the way another
member interprets your intended
message.
·
Ignore provocation. As in any community, there are going to be
people who disagree with
you, maybe even about something that is
really important to you. The best thing you can
do is accept the
fact that not everyone will carry your banner. Please do not
BACKLASH
or FLAME others, as this creates negativity among
members. If you must reply do so using
the following method:
-
Reply by private e-mail to any message that
irritates you. If you really can't follow the
suggestion above, send your view points or comments to the poster,
not to the
group/list. While it may be satisfying to get
outside support, carrying an argument
onto a
discussion group or mailing list is both impolite and creates
negative (at the
very least) viewpoints of
either you or the other participants.
·
Edit, edit, EDIT replies. People reading your message need only
enough of the previous message to get context. Spend the time
necessary (or learn how) to quote properly and be
sure to cut
out the newsgroup footers.
·
Please remember to change your subject line so that it is
consistent with the information contained in your message.
Please don't click reply to sender without changing it if need
be. We have all dont this before It can be tedious, but do your
best to make sure your
subject line reflects the contents of
your message. That way if it is "POSTCARDS!!!", and you
are
tired of POSTCARDS!!!, you can delete it without worrying that
some kind soul placed
an excellent link on it for Thinking Day!
·
If you receive messages in Digest form, please make sure to
change the subject line when
you are replying to one of the
messages. Also, please delete the information from the
digest
that does not pertain to the message to which you are
responding. Sending the
digest to the list only clogs the list
and makes other members who also receive digests
unable to
follow the threads as they are now receiving a digest within a
digest. An
alternative would be to send a new message, highlight
and copy the information from the
digest and then paste it into
the new message. Add your subject line and address the
message
to AllGirlScouts@yahoogroups.com.
·
Postcard Exchanges - Some of you are tired of seeing this, but
this happens every year for
Thinking Day. Please post your offer
to the list. If you want this post card you must
PRIVATELY email
that person privately rather than posting your message to the
list.
·
Advertising - All owners of other forums (age level, exchanges,
or standards) should show proper netiquette in requesting to
promote their forum prior to posting to the list. Forums'
may be
selected to be placed in the AGS Partnership Program provided
they meet the
guidelines giving within that program.
Please
remember - we are all Girl Scout and Girl Guide leaders who
joined this list for support in one
form or another. This is not
any one person's list, but a collaboration. You never know how
useful
your idea may become. Though every email you send is YOUR
copyright, lets not be stingy with
your ideas - after all you
are gathering everyone else's!
=========================================================================
Using more
direct subject lines on messages
Someone asked a very important question on the list recently
that I know our list archives has an excellent answer for. I'm
trying to search the archives right now for the info that I know
was posted to the list a few months ago because I think it could
help that leader a lot with their question. Since I don't recall
the subject line of that past thread, I have to try using
keywords to come up with the info I know is in the body of the
message in the archives.
I
have lost count of the number of times (over many years and on
many lists... not just this one) I have to waste time every time
I search the archives when vague subject lines pop up in
searches. Here are some examples of subject lines that don't
tell the reader what the message or thread is about:
Problem
Question time
Advice needed
Question
Advice please
Guess what
Need some ideas
These kinds of vague & generic subject lines are used/misused
all the time on mailing lists. so when the post is in the
archives OR when it is first received, list members may feel
they have to read every message because they can't tell in
advance if it's something they might want to skip or not
(whether it was the original subject or an evolved one).
Please, please, please consider your subject line before you
post a message to the list. Ask yourself... "Is the subject line
HELPFUL?" Is a question or comment directed at certain people on
the list, such as mostly Brownie leaders or leaders who do a lot
of tent-camping? Is it a link or info about a Junior badge? A
wider op? Is it a Brownie craft that's needed? Advice about
nonpayment of dues? A question about length of meetings?
YES,
any of those things can easily be mentioned in the subject line
to let people know what the message or question is about.
Instead of just using only the word "question" in the subject
line. Use that space to let us know what the subject of the
question is. Members who need to search the archives for
information previously posted can do it more quickly and easily
when we can get the main gist of a message from it's subject
line. A list member who is short on time can quickly delete
messages whose subject lines seem to be about something they're
not interested in reading (maybe a new Daisy leader will choose
to skip most S2B Destinations messages for now, etc). This is a
high volume list and all assistance in reducing the amount of
non-specific subject lines would be greatly appreciated!
(Contributor -
Karen)
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