ADMIN: Re: Free Speech on the Net and Posting Rules

["Eric J. Ray" <ejray -at- RAYCOMM -dot- COM>]

An open message: (I usually address these postings off-line, but this
one and the accompanying ones merit comment
on the list.)

At 04:54 PM 7/7/97 -0400, DoreenM520 -at- aol -dot- com wrote:
>I predict this posting will precipitate "this is offtopic" and "here all
>your rules and regs" postings.

Yes.

In general, if you don't like this service,
I strongly encourage you to sign off. Or start your own list.
Or whatever. But as long as you're on this list, you must abide
by the rules.

The rules were developed over a period of years so
that everyone on the list doesn't have to
deal with this kind of crap. If you have an issue,
take it up with me directly. I'm often reasonable.
For example, although Bill doesn't
agree with the outcome, the recent C-word
poll was a direct result of Bill's pointing out that I
might have been hasty in forbidding the discussion.
As many people on this list know, I tend to be fairly
accepting of suggestions or changes in list management.

That said, I don't have time for this garbage, and my email
indicates that others don't either.

I've suspended your posting privileges effective
immediately because of your flagrant infraction
of the posting rules (first paragraph, end of this
message). E-mail me off list if you choose to
take an active and on-topic role in future discussions.

From another posting:
     Q: How do I unsubscribe?
     A: Send a message to:
        LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU

        Put anything on the subject line, and include on the
        first line of the message:
        UNSUB TECHWR-L

Generally speaking, I don't have the time or
patience right now to deal with anyone's free speech
discussions or "I'm so mistreated because
..."

TECHWR-L is for technical communication discussion.
Period.

According to the rules established by Oklahoma State
University (the list host), someone has to take responsibilty
for the list. I take responsibility for it, and I take full
responsibility for ensuring that it is a worthwhile resource
for as many people as possible. If it isn't a worthwhile
resource for you, either talk with me offline about how
to make it more useful to you, or sign off.

Eric
TECHWR-L Listowner



POSTING RULES FOR TECHWR-L
     Revised 4/27/97

I strongly encourage everyone to read and understand these
rules before posting to TECHWR-L. 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.


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

     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 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 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 do post job ads -- they are welcome. Please
       put the location and general job description in the
       Subject line. E.g. something like
       JOB: Sr. Tech Writer, SF, California, USA.
     * Do not post job ad critiques. If you don't like the
       job, don't apply. If you have an issue with the
       terminology or phrasing, take it up off-line
       with the company.
     * Please do not post other ads in any form, for they are
       not welcome. The one exception is for ads that directly
       address a topic under discussion on the list. For example, if
       a reader posts a question about snazzling software and
       the company you work for makes Snazzler for Doors, posting
       information about the product would be fine.
     * Please make sure your E-mail address is included in
       the body of the message you post to the list.
     * Direct all commentary about this message to my
       address, not the list.





**************************************************
Eric J. Ray                      ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com
TECHWR-L Listowner         http://www.raycomm.com/

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