T&T: T&T List Admin: Reminder about list etiquette from the list administrator

[Bob McLeran (T&T List Administrator)]

THIS EMAIL IS FROM THE T&T LIST ADMINISTRATOR

Recent events have suggested that perhaps it's time for a reminder about 
several list etiquette (incorporated into the list rules) issues that 
have come into play during the past year.

NO PERSONAL ATTACKS ON-LIST:  One of the guiding principles of the T&T 
List is that  we strive to keep it a friendly place, were we exchange 
information and respect the view of others, even when they may differ 
from our own. We especially discourage any personal attacks on-list, or 
any posts that could be conceived as such.

While you are of course free to engage in private e-mail conversations 
with a list member with whom you disagree, we ask that posts to the list 
be done in a cordial and civil manner, and any personal confrontations 
be reserved for private, off-list e-mail.

USE PRIVATE E-MAIL WHEN APPROPRIATE:  The number of emails to the list 
exceeded 9,500 in 2008, and we're currently serving more than 1,950 
subscribers. This size brings with it the upside of a broader base of 
experience and expertise, as well as a downside of more email traffic 
that would be better sent privately rather than to the list. Examples of 
emails that are better sent privately would be "attaboys," "thank yous," 
and anything that doesn't substantively add to the thread or discussion 
(and material that is not directly related to trawlers and trawlering, 
boats and boating). By default, clicking [reply] to individual emails 
from the list are sent to the originator only. If your comments would be 
of interest to the entire 1900 plus list subscribers, don't hesitate to 
send them to the list; otherwise, please keep your response private 
between you and the originator.

SNIP YOUR REPLIES: Along the same lines, please quote only the text 
necessary for a complete understanding of your reply in your reply; cut 
everything else. Frequently, no quoted text is necessary, since every 
subscriber has already read (or at least has had the opportunity to 
read) the email to which you're replying. Obviously, sometimes it is 
necessary to quote a line or two in order to put your reply into the 
proper context, but cut/snip everything else including the 
administrative information which is included at the bottom of every T&T 
List email. Bottom line: delete everything that isn't necessary for an 
understanding of your reply.

The rules for all of the Trawlers-and-Trawlering lists with additional 
guidance can be found at:
http://www.trawlersandtrawlering.com/forums/listrules.html

The names of subscribers who serve as the volunteer Administrative Team 
are listed at the bottom of the rules page; you should feel free to 
contact any of us if you have questions regarding our subject areas.

Thank you in advance for your understanding on this, and with your 
ongoing help to keep the T&T List the great resource that it is.

If you have any questions at all about how the list operates, list 
etiquette, or the list rules, please contact me privately.

-- 

Keep on trawlering!

Bob McLeran
T&T List Administrator