• general groundrules

• lurk before you leap

• mind your manners

• look good online

• welcome newcomers

• give and take
  

• Replying to messages
  When you reply to a list message be aware of its destination (list or individual). For the voced-coord list the default reply is 'to the sender' but for other lists it may be 'to the list'. Check the 'to' line in your email message before clicking 'send'.

  Ensure your replies are readable by making liberal use of the delete key, retaining just enough of the original message to keep the meaning. If you must repost the entire original message, then add your new content at the start so that people do not have to scroll.  

• Make the subject line meaningful

  The subject line of each post should say enough about the content so that readers can quickly decide whether or not to read on. This saves busy people lots of time. If you are replying to another post and the content of your message relates to the same topic, keep the subject exactly the same. In other words, after pressing "reply" don't alter the subject. By doing this the discussion will be "threaded" correctly in the archives.

• Use a simple signature

  It is good practice to include a simple signature at the end of your message. A few lines that give your name, your role and where you are from helps to keep an appropriate context for your messages.  

• Use 'plain vanilla' email
  When posting messages to an email list it is important to use plain text and 'turn off' any html features of your email. 
  Find out how to send plain text email from YOUR email program

  As an alternative the following may help make your message more readable:
  - separate paragraphs with blank lines
  - only use upper case for headings and words you deliberately wish to emphasise. In general the use of upper case IS CONSIDERED TO BE SHOUTING.

• Be careful when using sarcasm and humour
  Without face to face communications your joke may be viewed as criticism. When being humorous, use emoticons to express humour (tilt your head to the left to see the emoticon smile)
  

  Examples:
  :-) = happy face for humour
  :-( = sad face for disappointment
  ;-) = 'wink', just kidding
  

  Acronyms can be used to abbreviate when possible, however messages that are filled with acronyms can be confusing and annoying to the reader.

  Common examples:
  IMHO= in my humble/honest opinion
  FYI = for your information
  BTW = by the way

• Attachments are definitely not for lists!
  In personal email, attachments are a convenient way to share information. This is not the case for lists because:
  - many people will not want the information
  - it is wasteful of bandwidth and this means time and money for those using dial up connections
  - the list archives can't handle them!
  An exception to this for email lists that are used for small private groups eg management committees.

Welcome newcomers

Online communities are about give and take

We know there are many great innovative ideas out there. We encourage everyone to share their ideas, challenges, successes and fun and to contribute to calls for help.

The VECO community gives you access to a wealth of expertise and experience and helping each other is what it's all about. Some tips when asking for help:

- remember that participation is voluntary and everyone is busy so phrase your request in a non demanding way

- if you get no response, try asking again. People will often assume that 'somebody else' will answer and may respond to a second request

- post a follow up message that thanks those who helped and include a summary of results if the responses came to you personally. This is a really important aspect of give and take and models good practice to others.

Above all enjoy yourself and play your part in shaping the VECO community through your active participation.

First published May 6, 1999. Last modified February 21, 2001.