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AGS List Netiquette FAQ's   Q.  I'm new, how do I know what to post?   A.  Since you just joined the list, monitor the messages for a few days to get a feel for what common questions or topics are asked. This is known as 'lurking'. Once you understand the basic issues, you can start posting threads.   Q.  What is a thread?   A.  A thread is a subject or the topic of discussion. Normally, what you see in the subject of you email file is the current thread.   Q.  Can anyone start a thread?   A.  Yes, and please make sure when you post to the list, to have this thread tabbed. If you're talking about Try-Its, post the thread as "Try-its". Don't leave it as Upset Leader - that was posted a week ago. This also makes for easy archive retrieval.   Q.  What types of threads are acceptable?   A.  Well, in truth almost any.   Q.  How can we address issues without backlash?   A.  Remember that these discussions are public and meant for constructive exchanges. We all have our own opinions and we all have the right, WITHIN BOUNDARIES (caps for emphasis), to air them. We must respect this and accept what others post. My point is in responding to issues you may disagree with, resist the temptation to "flame" others.    Q. What will happen if someone over steps this boundary?   A.  They will be placed on moderation. Everything they send in will be monitored and must be approved by a moderator  before it is posted to the list. Worst case - they will be Banned.   Q. What should be remembered in posting to the list?   A.  First, this list, AllGirlScouts, is just that. We do have younger adults and Girl Scouts on this list, so please remember how you word things. Second, please fill out your subject line with your main topic of discussion. That way if people want to respond to your thread, it is a simple click of reply to sender.   Q. Do I have to share my ideas or responses?   A.  No. If you want to address someone or a topic with someone privately, just click the personal email that is provided on each email stating who sent the thread, and it will go to them instead of the list.   Q.  Can I use other peoples ideas?   A.  Yes and No. First the Yes. In posting to the list, putting things on websites, sending emails, everyone can gather the information and save it. This term is called making compilations. Some of us live for it. And when someone later asks for information. Boom, there it is! Now the No. Taking other peoples ideas and using them for your benefit or taking credit for something someone else did is not acceptable. A quick remedy to this is a simple private email asking if you can use the work that person has done (either with your troop or SU or on a website. Most often you will get a yes. Sometimes you will get a no. Respect that and do as they ask.     Other Considerations   ·                     When replying to a message posted to a discussion group, check the address to be certain it's going to the intended location (person or group). It can be very embarrassing if you reply incorrectly and post a personal message to the entire discussion group that was intended for an individual. (Yes we all do this from time to time.)   ·                     Occasionally subscribers to the list who are not familiar with proper netiquette will submit requests to SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE directly to the list itself. Be tolerant of this activity, and if anything, send them kind words on how to solve the dilemma that needs attention.   ·                     When composing your message, TAKE OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Sending messages in all capital letters indicates that you are "yelling". If you want to emphasize one or a few words by capitalizing them, please let members know (for example - WE DID IT!!! (caps for emphasis). Properly placed capitalization and punctuation makes your message more "readable" and understandable. Lack of initial capital letters at the beginning of sentences and periods at the end of sentences cause confusion and can change the way another member interprets your intended message.   ·                     Ignore provocation. As in any community, there are going to be people who disagree with you, maybe even about something that is really important to you. The best thing you can do is accept the fact that not everyone will carry your banner. Please do not BACKLASH or FLAME others, as this creates negativity among members. If you must reply do so using the following method:    Reply by private e-mail to any message that irritates you. If you really can't follow the suggestion above, send your view points or comments to the poster, not to the group/list. While it may be satisfying to get outside support, carrying an argument onto a discussion group or mailing list is both impolite and creates negative (at the very least) viewpoints of either you or the other participants.   ·                     Edit, edit, EDIT replies. People reading your message need only enough of the previous message to get context. Spend the time necessary (or learn how) to quote properly and be sure to cut out the newsgroup footers.   ·                     Please remember to change your subject line so that it is consistent with the information contained in your message. Please don't click reply to sender without changing it if need be. We have all dont this before It can be tedious, but do your best to make sure your subject line reflects the contents of your message. That way if it is "POSTCARDS!!!", and you are tired of POSTCARDS!!!, you can delete it without worrying that some kind soul placed an excellent link on it for Thinking Day!   ·                     If you receive messages in Digest form, please make sure to change the subject line when you are replying to one of the messages. Also, please delete the information from the digest that does not pertain to the message to which you are responding. Sending the digest to the list only clogs the list and makes other members who also receive digests unable to follow the threads as they are now receiving a digest within a digest. An alternative would be to send a new message, highlight and copy the information from the digest and then paste it into the new message. Add your subject line and address the message to AllGirlScouts@yahoogroups.com.   ·                     Postcard Exchanges - Some of you are tired of seeing this, but this happens every year for Thinking Day. Please post your offer to the list. If you want this post card you must PRIVATELY email that person privately rather than posting your message to the list.     ·                     Advertising - All owners of other forums (age level, exchanges, or standards) should show proper netiquette in requesting to promote their forum prior to posting to the list. Forums' may be selected to be placed in the AGS Partnership Program provided they meet the guidelines giving within that program.       Please remember - we are all Girl Scout and Girl Guide leaders who joined this list for support in one form or another. This is not any one person's list, but a collaboration. You never know how useful your idea may become. Though every email you send is YOUR copyright, lets not be stingy with your ideas - after all you are gathering everyone else's!     =========================================================================   Using more direct subject lines on messages             Someone asked a very important question on the list recently that I know our list archives has an excellent answer for. I'm trying to search the archives right now for the info that I know was posted to the list a few months ago because I think it could help that leader a lot with their question. Since I don't recall the subject line of that past thread, I have to try using keywords to come up with the info I know is in the body of the message in the archives.             I have lost count of the number of times (over many years and on many lists... not just this one) I have to waste time every time I search the archives when vague subject lines pop up in searches. Here are some examples of subject lines that don't tell the reader what the message or thread is about:                   Problem                 Question time                 Advice needed                 Question                 Advice please                 Guess what                 Need some ideas             These kinds of vague & generic subject lines are used/misused all the time on mailing lists. so when the post is in the archives OR when it is first received, list members may feel they have to read every message because they can't tell in advance if it's something they might want to skip or not (whether it was the original subject or an evolved one).             Please, please, please consider your subject line before you post a message to the list. Ask yourself... "Is the subject line HELPFUL?" Is a question or comment directed at certain people on the list, such as mostly Brownie leaders or leaders who do a lot of tent-camping? Is it a link or info about a Junior badge? A wider op? Is it a Brownie craft that's needed? Advice about nonpayment of dues? A question about length of meetings?             YES, any of those things can easily be mentioned in the subject line to let people know what the message or question is about. Instead of just using only the word "question" in the subject line. Use that space to let us know what the subject of the question is. Members who need to search the archives for information previously posted can do it more quickly and easily when we can get the main gist of a message from it's subject line. A list member who is short on time can quickly delete messages whose subject lines seem to be about something they're not interested in reading (maybe a new Daisy leader will choose to skip most S2B Destinations messages for now, etc). This is a high volume list and all assistance in reducing the amount of non-specific subject lines would be greatly appreciated!   (Contributor - Karen)