[nzlug] Lots of new "faces"

[Michael Adams]

On Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:07:23 +1300
Nevyn wrote:

> It's occurred to me that there are loads of new people emailing the
> mailing list of late. While normally it doesn't seem to occur all of a
> sudden like this, people normally sort of get the gist of things here
> pretty quickly.
> 
> If you've read the message I just posted on AuckLUG you'll have some
> idea of what I'm talking about here.
> 
> I thought it might be prudent to a) give some idea of the rules and
> protocols here and b) perhaps do one of those annoying "My name is
> [insert name here], and I'm a member of this mailing list" sort of
> threads.
> 
> b)'s probably considered off topic but go ahead anyway.
> 
> I'm just going to list a couple of quick guidelines - just a few
> things that have been annoying me of late.
> 
> * When someone asks you to respond if you'd like to participate -
> unless you can see it of being to interest to other people on the
> list, respond to the person directly - i.e. do not send the response
> to AuckLUG or NZLUG etc.
> 

Some participants will insist you respond direct to the list for two
reasons.

* If they help and your issue is fixed, it will be recorded in the
archives.

* One method of posting to the list and avoid spam, is to post to the
list on one account and receive emails from the list on another, ">
/dev/null" on anything that gets posted to the former account.
Especially to a list such as this that put the senders address in every
post.

> * Top posting and bottom posting are something that some people get
> really passionate about. If you're the first to respond to an item,
> choose to do it however you like. However, if you're not the first,
> follow the posting style of the person before you. This saves people
> having to turn their monitors sideways trying to make sense of an
> email. (What's the position on online posting? Never been a fan of
> this myself)
> 

In a multi-point post such as this, inline (presume thats what you
meant, not online) posting is the only way to make sense of each point
individually.

> * Simple "Me too" emails don't help anyone.
> 

Straw polls can be helpfull. Unless someone asks for a show of hands on
an issue then"+1" and"-1" are suitable responses adding reasons where
desired.

> * If asking for troubleshooting details, details details and more
> details. Personally I don't put too many details until I'm asked for
> them but that's just me - I hate seeing long threads of "Here's a
> listing for this configuration file" and "the output of this proggie"
> etc. Just don't get testy when someone asks you for details.
> 

+1 At least include your Distro, and the avenues you've searched for an
answer to date. You are more likely to get help from the busy guru that
KNOWS the answer if s/he believes you have made an effort to exhaust
several avenues first.

> * For the sake of everything that is good in this world, do not give
> out any details you wouldn't give out to complete and utter strangers.
> I can not emphasize this enough. All the emails you post here arer
> searchable via google and probably a host of other search engines. Not
> only this but the emails are all archived. In otherwords, where's the
> fun for a stalker if they can just search the internet for your phone
> number or address or whatever?

* Understand threading! Then you can avoid hijacking threads.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_hijacking

> Oh and a quick introduction just to satisfy b). I'm Nevyn. I've been
> on this mailing list (NZLUG and AuckLUG when it was established) for a
> couple of years now. I helped with the last installfest organised by
> the AuckLUG and was one of the most outspoken people when trying to
> establish a AuckLUG (Before this anything done by those who are now
> members of AuckLUG was under the blanket of the NZLUG).
> 

Some join in a hurry to post a question. Others are in the habit of
joining a list then watching it to get the flavour of the general
discussions before making an ass of themselves.

[snip reason="topic change"]

Additional points:

Read this
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm
I'm not asking for anyone to agree with all the points, simply to be
aware that this is the viewpoint of many of the traditional
contributors to linux with the knowledge you may be seeking.

If someone can have a dissenting opinion on a topic, someone will.

MOST IMPORTANT of all. Emotional content such as wry sarcasm does not
come over well on a mailing list. Put on a flame retardent suit first,
before attempting it.

-- 
Michael
Linux: The OS people choose without $200,000,000 of persuasion.