There are what seem to be a lot of new people to the list. I have not
seen Dan's FAQ posted in a while. Since they replaced the one I used to
post, I am just going to post a part of the "Official" faq. This is to
me the most important part of the faq. I have added a couple of things,
but they are minor.
C. TELL ME ABOUT "ARSLIST" ETIQUETTE.
-------------------------------------
We're glad you asked. The simplest rule of ARSLIST usage is, anything
you
post to the list is going to be seen by 2,000+ people all over the
world,
so:
1. The Important Rules
ALL POSTS SHOULD HAVE A SUBJECT LINE - How else will someone
know what
you are asking about.
a) all postings need to be Remedy system related.
This includes 3rd party add-ons and related topics.
This includes the operating systems and databases but only as they
relate to a Remedy system.
b) Occasional humor is good, but Friday is the best time for it.
c) If it is a humorous or other off-topic posting, please say so in
the subject line, e.g. "OT: Joke of the week".
d) Posting jobs is ok, BUT not more than once a week for headhunter
spam.
Please use the Subject line header "JOB"
e) Posting your resume is fine, but it will be like a pool of sharks
circling.
f) We are in 52+ countries, every continent, every time zone - let's
try to not be too culture centric, and use culture neutral
language.
g) Think very carefully about what you write. After it's been
posted,
you can't take it back.
2. Remember that lengthy postings take longer to propagate, especially
around the world and over slow links, so trim the included text as
much as possible. Why include a 200-line previous posting just to
add a one-line response?
3. This is email, not documents. Your posting should be simple text,
not
HTML or encoded MS Word binaries or non-standard MIME attachments.
4. When composing the question you want to ask, remember to include all
useful information about your configuration. For example, the
following
items can be critical to solving your problem:
Server: platform
OS version
ARS version
Database vendor and version
Client: platform
OS version
ARS version
4. If someone posts something inappropriate to the list, don't compound
the problem by posting a personal complaint about it to the list as
well. Send it directly to the original poster. The standard
manager's
rule applies: Praise in public, criticize in private. Only bring it
to the list if it needs discussion and input from everyone.
5. Commercial traffic directly relating to Remedy and ARS is encouraged.
Many Remedy Product Partners subscribe here and have excellent tools
that will enhance your ARS implementation. They occasionally
announce
new products and upgrades and respond to user "how-to" requests.
Like-
wise, some ARSLIST subscribers decide to go into independent
consulting
and advertise their availability here.
6. Similarly, there are head hunters who are looking for qualified ARS
developers, and they post job listings here. Ideally they will do so
on an occasional basis - once a week at most. HOWEVER: If you decide
to reply to a job search posting, please use common sense and reply
privately to the poster, NOT to ARSLIST. People have gotten into
very
hot water (read: fired) for accidentally letting it be known that
they
were in the market for something new. Also, one has to wonder how
attractive you look to a prospective employer if you don't know
enough
about email to keep your interest discreet.
E. HOW DO I UNSUBSCRIBE FROM "ARSLIST"?
---------------------------------------
Send the following email:
To: [email protected]
From: <your email address here>
Subject: <ignored>
SIGNOFF ARSLIST
<end>
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP: List management email goes to the listserv
processor, not to ARSLIST. In the two examples above, the To: address
is LISTSERV, not ARSLIST. If you send your SIGNOFF message to ARSLIST,
2,000 people will see it and none them will have any ability to do
anything about it other than grumble at you for your inconsiderate
behavior.
G. SOCIAL CONVENTIONS (NETIQUETTE)
-------------------------------
Like so many other things, network users tend to expend a great deal of
virtual gunpowder about the subject of etiquette on the network
(otherwise known as netiquette).
Part of the culture of the network is built on the fact that an
individual user can put forward any face he or she cares to present.
Thus over time, the network has evolved various sets of rules that
attempt to govern conduct. To avoid taking up a great deal of space
arguing the merits of differing systems of netiquette, the following
general pointers that should be accepted by most users are offered for
the convenience of the list owner.
1. Recognize and Accept Cultural and Linguistic Differences
The Internet is international, and while English is generally
accepted as
the common language of the network, list owners and list subscribers
cannot afford to take the position that everyone on the Internet
understands English well. In a medium that is invariably connected to
language, special understanding is required to deal with questions or
statements from people for whom English is not the primary tongue.
Often
today (at least in the US) a person's first sustained interaction
with
others on an international basis is via the Internet. It is
imperative
that this interaction be on the highest level of cordiality and
respect
from the outset in order for all concerned to benefit.
Additionally, care should be taken when using local idiom and slang.
A common word or phrase used by Americans in everyday speech, for
instance, might be taken as profanity or insult by those in other
English-
speaking countries, and may not be understood at all by non-native
speakers of English. When a list has a high international readership,
it
is probably best to avoid non-standard English so as to provide the
clearest and least-objectionable exchange of ideas.
2. Private Mail Should Dictate Private Responses
If someone on a mailing list has sent a private message to you (i.e.,
not
to the list at large) and you have lost that person's address but
want to
respond, do not post private mail to the list. The REVIEW command
will
give you a copy of the list membership that you can search for the
person's address. If this approach does not work, contact the local
postmaster or the list owner for help.
3. Flaming is (Usually) Inappropriate
Flames (insults) belong in private mail, if they belong in mail at
all.
Discussions will often result in disagreements. Rebuttals to another
person's opinions or beliefs should always be made in a rational,
logical
and mature manner, whether they are made publicly or privately. What
is a
flame can range from the obvious (ranting and raving, abusive
comments,
etc.) to the not-so-obvious (comments about how many "newbies" seem
to be
on the list these days, "RTFM!" exhortations, etc.).
There is no such thing as a stupid question.
4. Foul Language
Subscribers should refrain from abusive or derogatory language that
might
be considered questionable by even the most liberal and open-minded
of
networkers.
5. Unsolicited Advertising and Chain Letters
Most of these are contrary to appropriate use policies governing the
use
of the poster's Internet access provider. Not only that, they are
annoying
and (in the case of chain letters) often illegal.
6. Identify Yourself
It is common courtesy, and on the ARSList a requirement, to identify
yourself. If you are posting about a competitor, it is at the very
least
unethical not to mention who you are.
In special circumstances, where it is in the best interest of the
ARSList,
a blind posting will be authorized, but it must be agreed to by the
list
owner(s) first: [email protected]. An example is a Remedy Corp.
employee
who wants to unofficially inform the list.
H. PREFIXES
-------------------------------
Prefixes for a posting subject line, not currently in alphabetical
order:
AD:<subject line> for Advertisements usually software but also services
ADMIN: the List Administrator's postings
INTRO: if for some reason you think yopu have to introduce yourself
TEST : you have decided to use up bandwidth but don't want anyone to
read
what you sent (I know there are legitimate reasons for it)
JOB <subject line> for a Job
EVENT <Type of Event><subject line> for announcing RUGS etc.
EMP <subject line> for those looking for Employment
HUH? <subject line> for Patrick, Gidd now that he has gone to the
Patrick
school of English, or me on a bad day trying to explain things
ALERT <subject line> this is Doug Mueller, we should all listen or a
posting
that is applicable to anyone on the list e.g. ALERT: Virus
IGNORE <subject line> Ignore, it's that darn list founder again But if
you
have some spare time, read on ....
OT <subject line> Off Topic or as I like to call it OverTime jokes or
things of interest but not purely Remedy Development
NEWS<subject line> some piece of actual news or gossip related to the
Remedy/BMC world.
SPAM: anything to do with Peregrine
Of course the more descriptive your Subject line is, the more likely you
are to have folks read your post and respond.
e.g. "ARS4.5.2 Oracle database connectivity issue on a SUN OS system"
narrows it down nicely. If I don't know Oracle I probably can't answer
and don't need to read it.
I. SUFIXES
-------------------------------
When you have posted a problem or a question to the list and it has been
resolved, please respond to the list with what the end resolution was
and put either "RESOLVED" or "SOLVED" at the **END** of your subject
line
e.g. How Do I create a filter? - RESOLVED
_______________________________________________________________________________
UNSUBSCRIBE or access ARSlist Archives at www.arslist.org
attend wwrug10 www.wwrug.com ARSlist: "Where the Answers Are"
