ADMIN: RE: leaving

["Eric J. Ray" <ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com>]

On Fri, 21 Sep 2001, Michael Collier wrote:

> Did I hear a door slam or something?
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > Body:  Just a post to say goodbye to all of you. I've decided to leave
> > TECHWR-L for
> > other lists that actually foster a sense of community.

Yes. It was a rather more public than most realization
that rules apply to everyone, and that they're applied
evenly to everyone on the list. For some reason,
there are some (mostly former) list members who think that
their situation/background/whatever exempts them
from the rules, or who think that they are somehow
owed something from Raycomm by virtue of their
membership in the list. Usually enlightenment comes
quietly, but not always.

Speaking of which, we seem to be due for some reminders.
Following is a whole bunch of information--much of the same
stuff that's sent out to new subscribers. Please read
and file somewhere where you can find it when you
need it. Thanks.

Eric
ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com
TECHWR-L Listowner


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Revised 1 March 2001


BASIC TECHWR-L INFORMATION

SUMMARY: You can do everything you need to do and find anything
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     Q: Who is the listowner and how do I contact him?
     A: Eric Ray is the owner (that's me), and my address is
        EJRAY -at- RAYCOMM -dot- COM

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS AND RESOLUTIONS

     Q: Why am I having trouble posting to the list?
     A: Due to problems with spamming, the TECHWR-L list
        is restricted. Only subscribers to the list can
        post. Additionally, the first posts from new subscribers
        are moderated, so there will be a delay in your first
        posting appearing on the list.
        If you are a subscriber but your E-mail address
        (as shown on your outgoing messages) has changed, you'll
        have problems and have to make your subscribed address
        match the address from which you post.
        You can do this either through the Web site at
        http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/subscribercentral.html
        or by unsubscribing (using the instructions at the end of
        every message you get from the list) and resubscribing.
        (Note: There's no point in getting surly -- subscription and
        verification of your identity both take place automatically
        via the Lyris software. If, as is highly likely, your address
        changed without your knowledge, your local system
        administrators are the only ones to yell at.)

     Q: Why did my message bounce back from Compuserve (or AOL or
        any other address besides something @lists.raycomm.com)?
     A: You post an article. You get a bounce message a few minutes
        later. You swear, "Rats, it didn't work." You post again.
        Trouble is, you can get a bounce message because there's one
        bad address on the subscriber list (someone who didn't
        unsubscribe before losing an account, for instance). The
        bounce message generally tells you that, if read carefully--
        or you could just wait and see if your article shows up.
        So, before reposting a "bounced" article, please be sure
        it was truly bounced from the whole list  and not just
        undeliverable to a single addressee. Contact the listowner
        before reposting if you have any doubt. (Thanks to Stan
        Brown for this one. EJR)

     Q: I tried to post a message and had it returned to me with
        a rejection message about attachments or HTML or something.
        What's going on, and what should I do?
     A: The list processing software is set to reject all HTML-
        formatted messages as well as all attachments. Additionally,
        messages containing more than 30 consecutive quoted lines
        will also be returned. These limits exist to keep attachments
        from polluting the list (they show up as garbage for many
        readers, and can spread viruses and the like when they don't
        end up as garbage) and to discourage wholesale quotations--like
        including the entire digest for a one liner comment.


GENERAL INFORMATION
     Q: Where can I find other information about TECHWR-L
        and about technical communication in general?
     A: At the Official TECHWR-L Web site, which you'll find at
        http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/. You'll also find the
        latest information about the list, links to archives, and
        a ton of other information.

     Q: Are archives for TECHWR-L available on the Web and how do I
        get them?
     Q: Dear Listowner, I inadvertently deleted some Techwhirl
        messages and need them back. Could you please send me....
     A: TECHWR-L archives are available through the Web at
        http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/archives.html and at
        http://www.documentation.com/techwrit/techwrit-l.htm
        and probably other places.

     Q: Why is it that you let other people post off-topic stuff, but
        then you remind me about what the posting guidelines are? If
        they can do it, I can do it!
     A: The listowner does not generally moderate this list. That is,
        everything sent to the list appears on the list. Phrased
        differently, the listowner cannot exercise any control over
        what other people post, but probably reminded them about the
        posting guidelines as well.

     Q: I have a message that would interest many of the subscribers,
        but don't want to post it to the whole list. Can I just get
        the  list of subscribers and send it myself, or at least send
        selectively to many subscribers?
     A: No.

     Q: Where do I send additions, corrections, and comments about
        this posting?
     A: To Eric, the listowner, of course. EJRAY -at- RAYCOMM -dot- COM


CHANGING SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS VIA EMAIL
      (Listowner recommendation: Use the Web interface at
      http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/subscribercentral.html
      rather than using email to manage your subscription--it's
      more flexible and more powerful.)

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     A: The best and most reliable solution is to use the instructions
        at the bottom of each message you get from the list. That address
        is customized for you and will almost always work,
        even if your mail address has changed. Even if you don't think
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     Q: My company's mail server had problems for a few days
        and now I'm not getting TECHWR-L mail. What do I do?
     A: Your subscription was probably automatically put on hold
        because of your bounced mail. You were notified, but if
        the hold message _also_ bounced, you'll hear nothing but
        silence. By the way, don't let your system administrator
        tell you that this is normal (it's not) or that there were
        no problems on your end (if you were held, there was
        a problem.  To fix this, send a message to:
        LYRIS -at- LISTS -dot- RAYCOMM -dot- COM

        Put anything on the subject line, and include on the
        first line of the message:
        UNHOLD

     Q: What are digests and how do I get them?
     A: Digests are daily mailings which include all
        postings to TECHWR-L from the last 24 hours. These
        are unedited, and unmoderated--they just give you
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        send a message to:
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        Put anything on the subject line, and include on the
        first line of the message:
        SET TECHWR-L DIGEST

     Q: My digests are coming through as lots of little attachments
        rather than a single longer file--can I fix it?
     A: Usually you can fix that--although it depends to an extent
        on your email system. Try sending a message to:
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        Put anything on the subject line, and include on the
        first line of the message:
        SET TECHWR-L DIGEST

     Q: My digests are coming through as a single long file
        but I'd rather have a bunch of little attachments. Can
        I change it?
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        Try sending a message to:
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        Leave the subject line blank, and include on the
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        SET TECHWR-L MIMEDIGEST

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        unsubscribe because I hate that confirmation process.
        What do I do?
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        What do I do?
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        I do?
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        Leave the subject line blank, and include on the
        first line of the message:
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POSTING RULES FOR TECHWR-L (for Technical Communication issues)
     Revised 21 April 2001

I strongly encourage everyone to read and understand these
rules before posting to TECHWR-L. TECHWR-L has nearly
5000 subscribers and many more readers, so it is necessary
to maintain a fairly tight definition of acceptable behavior.
Any list member may be removed from the list, at the
listowner's discretion, for flagrant or repeated infractions.
Additionally, if you are abusive to the listowner or other
list members, you may be removed from the list.

In addition to these rules, all users agree to abide by
the TECHWR-L Terms of Service, a copy of which is available at
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/policy.html.

Send all announcements, job ads, and similar messages to
ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com--do not post them to TECHWR-L directly.
What's an ad? See http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/noadspolicy.html

     CHECK THE ARCHIVES BEFORE POSTING! Archives are available at
     http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/archives.html and at
     http://www.documentation.com/techwrit/techwrit-l.htm.


     WHAT TO POST
     * If it is about technical communication and of general
       interest, post it.
     * If it is about technical communication and original and
       humorous, post it.

     WHAT NOT TO POST
     * If it doesn't clearly and directly relate to technical
       communication, don't post it.
     * If it is an ad of any sort, don't post it. Contact
       ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com about the right way to advertise to
       TECHWR-L.
     * If it relates to _language use_ but not technical
       communication, it probably isn't appropriate.
       Don't post it.
     * If it relates to _computer use_ but not technical
       communication, it probably isn't appropriate.
       Don't post it.
     * If it continues an irrelevant thread in any way
       (rebuttal, rebuke, rerun, revision, remark), don't
       post it.
     * If it is a personal message to a single subscriber,
       don't post it. Even if mail to that person bounces.
     * If you aren't sure, don't post it.
     * If it is a test message, do not post it. Ever. Contact
       the listowner if you have problems posting or with your
       subscription, or send a test message to
       techwr-l-test -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com to check your mail settings.
     * If it is something cute, interesting, or funny that
       you found on the Internet (e.g. Dr. Seuss on Tech
       Writing, origin of spam), don't post it. I assure
       you that most readers have seen it already.

     OTHER
     * Check your facts on anything you post. Do not under
       any circumstances post virus warnings or anything else
       designed to be "forwarded to everyone you know" to this
       list.
     * Do not directly attack anyone for anything on the list.
       Take issue with ideas, not personalities, and do
       NOT point out grammatical, spelling, or usage errors.
       This forum is not the place to exercise editorial
       frustration.
     * Please make sure your E-mail address is included in
       the body of the message you post to the list.
     * If responses are sent to you--not to the whole list--please
       summarize and post the entire summary back to the list.
     * Ensure that all out-of-office responders are not returned
       to anyone based on postings to TECHWR-L.
     * Direct all commentary about this message to my
       address, not the list.


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Revised 31 July 1998


THE INAPPROPRIATE POSTING SCENARIO

(Listowner's Note: The "thanks" notations are for the
contributions to the scenario, not pointed digs at
people who committed these infractions.)

     THE SCENARIO
  You are in a large lecture hall full of people in your profession.
  Included in the audience are students, educators, professionals.
  You cannot make out their faces, but they could reasonably
  include your employers or potential employers, your coworkers,
  and the ever-present violently obsessive technical writing
  groupies.

  Most of the audience members sit quietly as one member at a time
  gets up, walks to the podium, and shares information or advice or
  asks questions. Some of it is rich and detailed, some cursory but
  helpful, some trivial but relevant in a roundabout way.  Somewhere
  in this stream of information, someone expresses an opinion or
  gives a piece of advice that you feel obligated to respond to.

  You get out of your seat and walk to the front of the room,
  everyone's eyes upon you. ...

	(Listowner's note: At this point, the paths may diverge.
	 Some of the following unfortunate cases have been played
	 out over the past few years.)

   A) You approach the podium, clear your throat, and say "Me,
      too."   You are greeted with a combination of quizzical,
      patronizing smirks and incredulous silence.

   B) You relate that really good joke about Microsoft and operating
      systems that you overheard at the restaurant last night. Some
      laugh. Some wonder why you just now heard it. Many wonder why
      you'd use their chance to discuss technical communication to
      tell a old joke.

   C) You take your turn at the microphone to clarify a point. One
      of the previous speakers had mentioned, in the context of
      developing and using context-sensitive, interactive help files,
      that they used MS Word v3.0. Obviously, that's incorrect,
      therefore
      you clarify that they MUST have used a different version because
      that one didn't even exist. Not only that, but the incompetence
      of anyone who could make such a mistake is certainly astounding.
      It only takes you about 10 minutes to impress upon everyone that
      you know far better than the speaker what versions of Word
      exist.
      (You don't make any points about the issue at hand, but your
      audience has already made their assumptions about your knowledge
      in that area.)

   D) "Does anyone know how much the cheapest Internet service
      provider in Kansas costs?"

   E) You replay the entire videotape of the MS Word v3.0 speaker,
      including the introduction, the walk to the podium, and the walk
      back to a seat. The quality isn't all that hot, but it's
      important to make sure everyone knows the context in which you
      speak. 12 minutes later, you point out that there is in fact a
      version of MS Word v3.0 and you had used it once, briefly, but
      didn't like it much and would always choose Frame. Furthermore,
      anyone who uses any version of Word is a certifiable idiot and
      if your company or clients require Word, you should quit and
      find a real company.
      You return to your seat satisfied about your demonstrated TW
      proficiency and wonder about the copy of "How to Win Friends and
      Influence People" that ended up on your chair. (Thanks to Jim
      Barton for the initial suggestion and Arlen Walker for the
      quibble.)

   F) You take your chance at the podium to publicly mock the
      pronunciation and diction of the three speakers before you, not
      to mention their poor spelling on overheads. As you return to
      your seat, someone passes you a note pointing out that one of
      the three is hard of hearing, one is not a native speaker of
      English, and that many people in the world don't see a problem
      with spelling "defense" as "defence". Whoops! Oh, well, you
      think, they'll get over it.

   G) You walk up to the podium and say "I'm glad you all
      finally stopped talking about that subject, because you were
      wasting everyone's time. I'm so relieved we're not discussing it
      any more." (Thanks to Tracy Boyington for this one.)

   H) You reach the microphone and say the exact same thing that all 8
      people before you have said because you didn't bother to listen
      to them. (Thanks to Chris Boehm.)

   I) You piously denounce the majority of subjects that have
      been discussed thus far as irrelevant to the original
      scope of the conference, berate the conference organizers
      for allowing such irrelevancies to be introduced into the
      dialogue, and announce that you will leave the auditorium
      if discussion of such issues continues.

   J) You complain that the seminar does not provide a wide enough
      scope for discussion of your particular interests (which may
      be of only cursory interest to a minority of people attending
      the conference), accuse the conference organizers of promoting
      censorship, and ask if anyone knows of another conference
      organized by nonfacists. (Thanks to Bill Burns for these last
      2.)

   K) You try to leave the auditorium, but forget how, so instead of
      looking for exit signs or asking the usher, you go to the front
      and ask everybody. (Thanks to Lorin C. Ledger for this one.)

  As you walk back to your seat, you try to make out the faces around
  you.   (Thanks to Lisa Higgins for the original scenario)



Eric
TECHWR-L Listowner

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Eric J. Ray                  ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

A landmark hotel, one of America's most beautiful cities, and 
three and a half days of immersion in the state of the art:
IPCC 01, Oct. 24-27 in Santa Fe.  http://ieeepcs.org/2001/

  +++  Miramo -- Database/XML publishing automation.  See us at  +++
  +++  Seybold SFO, Sept. 25-27, in the Adobe Partners Pavilion  +++
  +++ More info: http://www.axialinfo.com  http://www.miramo.com +++

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