File: posting.guidelines BEGIN------------cut here------------- Marilyn Monroe Mailing List Posting Guidelines ============================================== NOTE: Failure to read and abide by the guidelines contained in this document can and will result in changes to your subscription status. The Marilyn Monroe Mailing List can be a very high traffic mailing list. In addition, many members of the list use commercial services or pay long-distance charges. As a result, toleration of wasteful and inconsiderate posting will be slightly lower than the usual mailing list, and *MUCH* lower than Usenet. This document outlines your responsibilities as a subscriber. Abiding by them will enhance everyone's enjoyment of the list. The list is a powerful tool for you as a Marilyn fan and/or collector. Be conscientious, and you'll learn everything you've ever wanted to know about Marilyn, and make some friends too. Failure to abide by these rules will result in the following: 1. A warning. If I'm really irritated I'll quote your message and cut and paste the offended rule. If I'm short on time, I may just email a copy of the Charter and this file. In either case, email me if you have a question. The goal of a warning is just to remind you or give a practical example of a rule. 2. Suspension. If you break the same rule twice, break two in quick succession, or do something otherwise idiotic, you may be suspended from the list for 1-4 weeks. 3. Rejected. If you still haven't gotten the point, you will be unsubbed and added to the list's reject file. However, even this is not permanent, as I purge the reject list every 6 months or so. DISCLAIMER: I reserve the right to delete you, suspend you without warning, or otherwise manipulate your subscription (except for undesired subscription) for any reason whatsoever. Meta-Rule: When in dount, send it in PRIVATE e-mail. Below are the rules listed in the list Charter, commentary on their function, and strategies to avoid breaking them: 1. Obey standard Internet rules of etiquette The best way to do this is just THINK before you post. What and how you post is the only impression people will get of you. Most importantly your post should be well constructed, relevant, and interesting. Reasonable .sig length This is usually between 4-6 lines. If you want to show off your 80 line logo made of *'s, post an announcement and let people request it. Don't post people's email without permission Clear enough. Violating this will earn you a quick #3. Don't mailbomb the list Ditto. Don't post anything illegal Ditto. If you don't know what's illegal, you don't belong on this list. Don't quote more than text than is needed. As a rule of thumb, the text you quote should NOT be more than what you write. You can and should assume that we've all read it. New subs who may have missed something can access an archive of the last thirty messages. If you intend to quote text just to make a wry comment about, well, then you're just out of line. Therefore, quote only what is absolutely necessary (if any at all) for your reply. "Me too" messages really, really bite. If you respond to a question and you think it's of interest to all, post it to the whole list. If you see a question asked that you think may not be answered publicly, email the enquirer and ask them to please forward any responses to you. If they get enough requests, they may summarize to the list. It's quick, it's easy, and it's very considerate. 2. NO BINARIES OR DISCUSSION ABOUT BINARIES! That means no jpeg/gif posts. It is copyright violation and the messages become too large for practical distribution. 3. DO NOT SEND UNSUBS TO THE LIST! Send a message to marilyn-request if you need help. Many people pay for their email by the msg. Be courteous. The is really really irritating. Since being unsubbed from the list is the goal, and not a deterrent, this will simply earn you a goodly amount of much deserved flame-mail. Use marilyn-request@mozart.lib.uchicago.edu. 3a. DO NOT "TEST" THE LIST. See 3. Post an intro about yourself. If you don't get it back, email mozart@uchicago.edu and I'll look into the problem. 4. Do not post ANYTHING unrelated to the topic of the list. This is true of any Internet mailing list. The topic is Marilyn Monroe. No one wants Internet junkmail (See 3). You'd think this would be easy to understand, but you'd be surprised how many people think discussing viruses, Clipper Chips, or Making Money Fast is relevant to Marilyn. OTOH, the people on the list and their lives ARE relevant to the list. If a long time listmember has a b-day, gets married, or otherwise has an exciting life event, we want to hear about. This list is not only about Marilyn, but the people who love Marilyn. 5. You agree to abide by these rules. If at any time you need this document, acess the list archives or contact me. This includes updates to these documents, which will be announced to the list. 6. Anything else a majority of people on the list complain about. :) I have to admit this is slightly misleading. It's more accurate to state that if enough regular and consistently contributive members complain about something, I will back them up. That's it. You may want to keep a copy of this as a reference, or make sure you know to how get it if you need it. And if you have any questions, send me email (mozart@uchicago.edu). Peggy Wilkins <mozart@uchicago.edu> Administrator, Marilyn Monroe Mailing List END--------------cut here-------------