many of the list members have been on this list (and/or other lists) before and know most of this stuff, but there are also some for whom this is new. just as a reminder, here are some points to consider before you start posting. disclaimer: i didn't write this, it's just a quick copy and paste job from various sources with some minor modifications.
1. Remember you are interacting with people.
Because you only see letters stringing across a screen, it is easy to forget or ignore that a person sits on the other side of the network. This can tempt people to excess verbal boldness or emotional explosions, leaving readers angry and hurt. Over the Internet, you should consider yourself as having a face-to-face conversation with someone in a crowded room. Cursing and raw abuse are not appropriate. Keep debate civil, and keep it a debate, not a slanderous brawl. Always remember behind every e-mail address is another person.
2. Differentiate between public and private messages.
a. The mailing list is public space. Personal messages, such as criticism of a person's writing style or new scarf should be sent to that person only. To broadcast such messages on the mailing list can embarrass and anger. Messages for everyone on the list go to thingist@mailman.thing.net. Questions about how the list works (e.g., "How do I use Digest mode?" and "How do I find out who else is subscribed to this list?") can generally be answered by logging into your Members' Option section. General questions regarding the thingist lists should be directed to support@thing.net.
b. From time-to-time, you may find that a posting is particularly well written or offers a perspective that others you know who are not subscribed to the list might enjoy. Many who post to the list expect that their message will distributed to list subscribers only. If you would like to share a list posting with someone not subscribed to the list, it is common courtesy and best practice to first contact the author privately to ask permission to distribute the message beyond the list subscribers.
3. Make subject lines descriptive.
People should have a flavor of the message from glancing at the subject line. "Hello," is not as good as, "my gripe with the altermodern manifesto."
4. Edit the original message in your replies.
When replying to a message, re-send a few summarizing lines of the original message so the reader will know immediately what matter you are addressing. The user who receives dozens of messages a day can easily forget what he wrote a couple days before. However, do not re-send the entire original message, especially if long, as it might be unwanted by the receiver, and an unnecessary burden for servers.
5. Sign your postings.
It is good practice to include a few lines at the end of your message indicating your name and e-mail address as some mail programs do not automatically display such information. And it is best to keep such electronic signatures reasonably short.
6. Write clearly and logically.
Simplicity of expression usually is best. Sudden poetic bursts intended to "impress" usually do not impress, and may bother the reader.
7. Be prudent with speculation.
On the Internet, rumor can grow extravagant and spread like fire. Remarks beginning with, "I have a feeling that . . ." or, "I think that . . ." are usually suspect.
8. Be cautious with humor and sarcasm.
Typed language is naturally colder than spoken language, because it is stripped of voice inflections and body language. Quite easily, humor can be taken as insult, especially if subtle. Some users prefer to use symbols that hint at tone, such as the smiley face.
9. NEVER send attachments to lists (they will often appear as pages of code and may introduce viruses). Instead, place the attachment on a web page and give subscribers the URL.
10. NEVER send messages in HTML or "enriched text." Some subscribers may receive your message interspersed with HTML tags so that it is difficult to read. Check your mail-system's settings to be sure you are NOT sending mail to discussion lists only in HTML.
11. Give URL's as "http://www......" (note the angle brackets) so that they will survive line breaks and are hot-linked [note that <www.....> is NOT hot-linked]. Double check all URLs in your message to be sure they work and do not have a misspelling or typographical error.
12. Carefully proofread posts prior to posting - check spelling (especially NAMES) and grammar.
13. E-mail lists are as good, and only as good, as the subscribers make them.
Lists work best when intelligent people bring fresh knowledge and ideas to the table. New ideas can stimulate discussion. Trivial or inane comments often kill discussion. Write meaty, thoughtful things and everyone will benefit from the list.
---
of course rules can be broken, but it's better to know them before you break them.
later,
wolfgang