MAILING LIST TIDBITS by Cyndi Howells - Steven J. Coker
Subject: MAILING LIST TIDBITS by Cyndi Howells
From: Steven J. Coker
Date: August 01, 1998

Selected Tidbits From:
ROOTSWEB REVIEW: Genealogical Data Cooperative Weekly News
Vol. 1, No. 7, 29 July 1998; Circulation: 195,000+ researchers
Copyright (c) 1998 RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative
Editors: Julia M. Case and Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG

To subscribe, put ONLY the word "subscribe" (omit quotation marks) in subject
and body of message and e-mail to [email protected].

-=-=-=-=-
ROOTSWEB ON RADIO: On Monday morning, July 27, 1998, National Public Radio
played an interview with Cyndi Howells about genealogy and the Internet. The NPR
program was "Morning Edition" with Bob Edwards. You can listen to the interview
over the Internet using Real Audio. If you don't already have Real Audio loaded
on your computer, you can download the program at:
. Once it is installed, go to
 and click on the Audio graphic. The Real Audio
file of the interview may also be accessed at



MAILING LIST TIDBITS
by Cyndi Howells 

A "listowner" maintains a mailing list. The listowner is usually the person who
originally established the list and determined the purpose of the list and any
rules associated with it. The listowner also helps those who need help to
subscribe and unsubscribes from the list successfully.

Messages sent to mailing lists are forwarded via e-mail to a software program,
which then distributes a copy of the message to each of the subscribers on that
list.

There are at least two different e-mail addresses associated with each mailing
list. The first address is used for sending "subscribe" and "unsubscribe"
commands by e-mail. The second address is used to send e-mail messages to all of
the other subscribers on the mailing list. Pay close attention to the
differences between these two e-mail addresses, so that you know you are using
the right address for the proper function.

Most mailing lists have two versions: mail mode and digest mode. Mail mode is
for individual messages to be delivered one at a time to each subscriber. Digest
mode is for several messages to be delivered to each subscriber in one message.

After you successfully subscribe to a mailing list you will receive a welcome
message with details on how that particular list works. Keep a copy of the
welcome message.

These suggestions apply to mailing lists and are also good rules for regular
e-mail correspondence. The last thing in the world you want to do is
inadvertently offend that cousin who has the priceless records about your
ancestors.

Read the subscription (subscribe and unsubscribe) instructions carefully and
follow them exactly. Don't pester the listowner for personal help. Try
subscribing and unsubscribing at least five times before you ask for help. You
can do it! Read -- don't skim -- the welcome message, FAQ, Web page or any other
information sent to you regarding the mailing list and how it works. The rules
do apply to you. Follow them.

After joining a mailing list, "lurk" (read, do not respond) for a while. Use the
correct e-mail address when posting or replying to messages. If you want to
reply to someone privately, be sure you are not replying to the entire list.
Look at the "TO:" window in your e-mail before you hit that "REPLY" button. 

Do not send "test" messages to mailing lists. (Mailing lists work; you don't
have to "test" them.)

Never return an entire letter, message, or newsletter to the sender or to the
mailing list. Check the automatic functions on your e-mail program to avoid
this. Turn that function off.

Do not post any inappropriate messages to a list. For example, don't post
genealogical queries about when/where your great-grandparents were married to a
list that deals with those  coordinating work on compiling cemetery records for
a state or county. Don't send any requests for genealogical research to a
Webmaster or listowner.  

Do not use your signature file if it contains long lists of surnames, or your
favorite sayings, etc., and always turn it off before you attempt to subscribe
or unsubscribe from a mail list.

Do not send file attachments to mailing lists.

Do not send or forward junk mail or virus warnings to a mailing list. See:
Internet Stuff You Need to Know at  

Do not cross-post the same message to numerous mailing lists.

Do not post personal information about yourself or living family members to any
mailing lists.

When responding to queries, quote your sources precisely. Indicate titles of
books, Web site addresses, library names or any other reference you have used. 

REPLYING TIPS

If you decide to reply to a question on a mailing list, determine whether it
will be of general interest to all subscribers. If not, send a private e-mail to
the person who posted the question.

Do not post personal replies or thank-you messages to a mailing list. Send these
messages directly to the individual.

When replying to a message found on a mailing list digest, do not repeat the
entire text of the original message with your reply. Repeat only enough text
From the original message that is necessary to clarify your reply or to remind
the recipient about the original topic.

AVOIDING PROBLEMS

Mailing lists are like genealogical societies or any group of people -- composed
of many different types of personalities. Remember that misunderstandings can
happen easily, as it is impossible to convey body language via e-mail. Avoid
topics and discussions that may be controversial in nature.  

Do not participate in name-calling or other "flaming."

Do not assume anything. Clarify all statements before you react.

Be patient with all "newbies" to a mailing list. Remember that we all had to
start somewhere!

The Internet is a global community; therefore be tolerant of others who use
English, French, or any language differently than you do. Watch your slang and
acronyms. Language that is readily understood and socially acceptable in the
United States or Australia might be incomprehensible or even embarrassing to
your British, Canadian, or German cousins. 

STRATEGIES AND REWARDS

Sign your e-mail with your name and e-mail address. Not all e-mail software
automatically provides this information in the headers. Make it easy on your
cousins, so they can contact you.

Give a mailing list a fair chance to prove useful. Don't be discouraged if a
list is low in traffic or if there are lulls in the conversations. Hang around
on a list for a while before you decide to quit. Remember it is a two-way
street. Don't ask what all you can GET from a list -- offer to GIVE something. 

You never know what might pop up! A researcher I know just received a copy of an
1800 Bible entry for her ancestors. It came from a distant cousin she met via a
mailing list. She had been searching for this material for more than 20 years.

==== SCROOTS Mailing List ====





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