TECHWR-L Topics

["Eric J. Ray" <ejray -at- OKWAY -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU>]

     Gang,
     Some of you (mostly recipients of my reminder notes
     about off-topic postings) have argued for more
     tolerance in "acceptable" topics. Many argue that they
     are technical communicators and use, for example,
     cc:Mail to do their work, therefore cc:Mail questions
     should be appropriate. This is not the case.

     TECHWR-L is the only list on the 'Net dedicated to
     technical communication. Other lists exist to provide
     other forums. If you have a question about using
     cc:Mail, the question should go to a cc:Mail list or a
     general E-mail list, but not to TECHWR-L. You wouldn't
     post a technical communication question to CCMAIL-L on
     the rationale that "many technical communicators use
     cc:Mail, therefore, the cc:Mail list is an appropriate
     forum for tech comm issues." Likewise, don't do the
     converse.

     I make exceptions for DTP or word processing packages
     because they are central to what we as technical
     communicators do. E-mail packages and operating systems
     come and go, and are more in the category of generic
     office tools. Just as you wouldn't dream of asking
     TECHWR-L how to operate the new Panasonic fax machine
     in your office, you shouldn't ask similar questions for
     E-mail, operating systems, network software, or similar
     topics. Obviously, asking about PREPARING DOCUMENTATION
     on the above topics would be fine.

     Original humor about technical communication is fine.
     Never repost any "cute" stuff you found on the 'Net to
     TECHWR-L. It's probably been posted before, and even if
     if it hasn't, it doesn't belong anyway. Newsgroup
     rec.humor exists for that.

     Don't post virus announcements or similar warnings.
     Most turn out to be overblown or bogus, but even if
     they aren't, TECHWR-L isn't the appropriate forum for
     them either. Dedicated newsgroups provide acceptable
     places to look for or post these announcements.

     As a reminder:
     Part 1:
     * If it is about technical communication and of general
       interest, post it.
     * If it is about technical communication and original and
       humorous, post it.

     Part 2:
     * If it doesn't relate to technical communication,
       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 relates to language use but not technical
       communication, it probably isn't appropriate.
     * If it continues an irrelevant thread in any way
       (rebuttal, rebuke, rerun, revision, remark), don't
       post it.
     * 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.

     Part 3:
     * Direct all commentary about this message to my
       address, not the list.

     Thanks,
     Eric
     ejray -at- galaxy -dot- galstar -dot- com
     TECHWR-L Listowner