If you are a newcomer to Mailing Lists we've found that it's a good idea to wait a little while and read the list and its history before you vocalize. This will give you time to see if this is indeed the forum for your thoughts and ideas. You may even find the answers you are looking for in the list's past postings. Your first posting does not need to contain any biographical information. Typically, this will mark you as a city visitor brandishing a new pocket 35mm camera, and will diminish the perceived value of your input to list veterans. "Just the facts" is a great motto.The Subject line is very important in initiating a new and interesting topic and finding materials that you are interested in. A Subject line that reads "Help" is frowned upon, whereas a direct description, such as "digital audio conversion to RealAudio", will yield high feedback response.
The behaviors which emerge from a mailing list can range from the inspiring to the infuriating. In general, the Golden Rule works as well in cyberspace as it does in real space. And while you may be enthusiastic about some point or another, graphic illustrations and other forms of rhetorical strategy might serve only to make people feel bullied and unwilling to share their pearls of wisdom.
Each of us a lot to say, but we ask that you please refrain from posting thousand-line messages to the list, unless they are immediately relevant to the subject under discussion. You can always post the URL, leaving the list subscribers the option of retrieving such a momentous piece of work to another, more appropriate time.
Since this is a "technical" list, most of the time the talk should be technical. Certain debates are expected, but we have found it is generally wiser to reserve heated argument until after the essence of the argument has been framed; otherwise, debates can meander over epistemological terrain without covering the subject at hand. We would like to encourage a healthy interchange of ideas without becoming soapbox politicians.
Finally, while list moderators rarely need to bare their teeth in the performance of their duty, it should be said that the moderators are here to facilitate a clear discussion of the issues, and will not tolerate persistent disruptions in that process.
Thank you. We hope that you enjoy the list.