There has been a noticeable increase in the occurrence of birders using 4-Letter Banding Codes as shorthand for species names (sometimes incorrectly), when posting messages to NYSbirds-L.
Please discontinue using 4-Letter Banding Codes. This method is only causing confusion among the majority of the people subscribed to NYSbirds-L (and to those non-subscribers browsing this information off the web). As with the use of any shorthand or abbreviations, the correct method is to outline the full name followed by the abbreviation of the name in parenthesis. Only after this abbreviation is explained (for each written message) should the abbreviation be used throughout the rest of a written message or document. Each time a new message or document is created, the abbreviation must be clearly outlined at the start of the message or document. In scientific journal articles, it is frowned upon to use an abbreviation in the title of a document (without first introducing the full name, if it was necessary to have as an abbreviation in a title or abstract). In order to make postings the least confusing and to eliminate the requirement of subscribers of NYSbirds-L to consult external resources (4-letter banding code references), please spell out complete bird names. The use of 4-letter banding codes only promotes an air of elitism – a behavior that is not welcome on NYSbirds-L. This is an inclusive eList, not an exclusive one. Thank you for remaining cognizant of this and good birding! Sincerely, Chris Tessaglia-Hymes Listowner, NYSbirds-L Ithaca, NY -- Chris Tessaglia-Hymes Listowner, NYSbirds-L Ithaca, New York c...@cornell.edu<mailto:c...@cornell.edu> NYSbirds-L – Archives<http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> NYSbirds-L – Welcome and Basics<http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> NYSbirds-L – Rules and Information<http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> NYSbirds-L – Subscribe, Configuration and Leave<http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
