Hi all. this is a reminder about the list rules. I'm going to implement
a system where the list rules are made available to everyone. I would
have thought that talking about illegal things was a no-brainer, but I
also realize that people's interpretation of that can be subjective. So,
unfortunately it will have to be spelled out. Also, below is a copy of a
message I've sent out from time to time and it will do everyone good to
re-read it if they are a veteran list member, and good to read if they
are a new list member.
For the record, Cara Quinn is both list owner and moderator, and me,
Raul Gallegos is list moderator. So, if you see a message from either
one of us asking that something be stopped, that is what that means. It
doesn't mean to continue writing even if you try to disclaim it by
saying, I know they asked us to stop but... Or, even though the
moderator's said stop, I'm adding this ... blah blah blah. Stop means
stop. I don't care if you are an outstanding list member, posting
something whether you feel is on topic or not even to add something
positive or to cheer me or Cara on is still doing what we asked to stop.
I know that most everyone's hearts are in the right place and Cara and I
both appreciate the support, but as much as it's well-intentioned, it
also adds to the list traffic. If you want to say something in response
to a message from something that someone wrote, write that person off
list. Otherwise, just ignore it and move on. We want this list to be a
great resource for information as long as that information isn't
illegally obtained. I won't split hairs with some of you who might
disagree. Bottom line, if it's about pre-release iOS software which only
NDA agreed people are supposed to have, then don't do your illegal part
by passing it along. What you do on your own time is your business. Now,
here is the pasted message I promised.
Hello all. I hope that you still read these messages despite the subject
line. I just have a few things to point out since we have some new users
and since there have been some message postings of late which have
prompted me to write. So, please read this message all the way since it
may contain information which will be helpful to you as a member of this
list.
The following are several things to keep in mind when reading and
writing viphone list messages.
1. Please don't hijack a thread. If you know that you are not hijacking
a thread, skip down to the next item. If you don't know what a hijacked
thread is, read this carefully because you might be doing this without
knowing you are. A hijacked thread is when you are reading a message
which talks about topic X, and then you reply to that message and erase
all the content, and the subject and replace it with something totally
different, Topic Y, and write a new message. This is a no-no because
what you have done is basically butted in on an existing conversation.
If this was real life, it would be like you joining a group of people
who are discussing the new features of iOS 6 and suddenly asking what
the best gps app for the blind is. In other words, you started talking
about something totally unrelated to their existing conversation. On the
iPhone a thread looks like this. The sender, the subject, the date and
time, and how many messages in the thread. One thread might have 25
messages and then you think, gee, this is a great conversation about air
plane mode. So, as you are reading messages about air plane mode,
suddenly, someone talks about the Grub Hub app they just got and how
they ordered Chinese food for dinner and what do people think of the
accessibility of Grub Hub. This has nothing to do with air plane mode.
So, now the 25 messages which you thought were about air plane mode have
some messages about it, and some messages about Grub Hub. Not a good
thing. The resolution to avoiding this is to not hijack a thread. If you
want to write a new message which doesn't have anything to do with the
existing message you are reading, simply start a new message and address
it to viphone@googlegroups.com and put in the subject and appropriate
message. This way your topic will have its own thread and it will keep
people like me happy. In short, don't use the reply button to start a
new discussion. Instead, use the new button. The reply button should
only be used to continue the same discussion.
2. One liner messages. There are several people who are still on
moderated status because of their constant one liner messages. These
include things like, "thanks, I'll try that." or, "OK.", or, "Yes, I'll
do that." Of course, sometimes there might be a message where someone
for example asks, is iOS 6.1.1 out? To which, there is only one answer.
Yes. In cases like this, one liner messages are ok. So, in short, use
best judgment. Think before you send, does what you write really
contribute to the conversation and will all 1400 plus members really get
something out of you saying what you want to say? Think of how you would
do this in real life. Would you say this out loud? If you want to thank
someone for answering your question, would you shout it out to 1400
people, or would you just tell the person who helped you? So, if you
want to send out a one liner or thank you message, just send it to the
person directly. One good and safe way of doing this is by pressing
reply to all in the message and then removing the viphone address from
the to field. This means your message will only go to the person who
sent it. Also, it will make list members happy that you are not adding
to useless clutter.
3. Cool, new, or free app notifications. When posting about a new app, a
cool app, or an app which is free for the day, please take the time to
include at least 3 things. The app name of course, a brief description
of the app, and the link to it. The link can either be the iTunes link
or the web page of the app. You can easily get the link to an app from
either your iDevice or from the iTunes store from your computer. If you
don't know how to do this, go ahead and ask. The way I copy a link from
the iTunes store is by pressing enter on the app in question, and then
tabbing once past the free or price button. It's a combo box. Now I
press down arrow to copy link and press enter. This copies the link to
the app into my clipboard. Then I can paste it into my message. Also, if
the app you are letting the list know is a free app for the day, my
suggestion is for you to put that in the subject line. For example,
Navigon on sale for $24.95 on Monday February 18, 2013. or something
similar. This way people who read messages a day or three later will at
least have an idea of whether the app might be free on or sale still.
Also, use some common sense when asking about whether an app might still
be free or not. Instead of asking on list if it's still free or
discounted, just pull it up in the App Store or iTunes and find out for
yourself.
Now, the rest is an updated list of suggested dos and don't for the
viphone list. I hate calling them rules, but I sometimes feel like they
should be just because it will help keep this list run more smoothly. I
wrote these when I first became moderator, and most of these still
apply, but as I said, I've modified them to be more updated.
The below starts with respect for each other.
Speaking of respect and kids, I can promise you guys that I will do my
best to respect you, and to not treat anyone like a kid. Regardless of
the ages of all the group members, (which by the way are quite a bit), I
feel that we are all adults here and can act accordingly. When I say
adult, I'm not speaking of the legal or cultural definition of
adulthood, but about the maturity level. If you visit
http://www.marcandangel.com/2007/08/17/what-is-adulthood-20-defining-characteristics-of-a-true-adult/
you will see what I mean.
So with this in mind, Cara and I have come up with a list of guidelines
for the list. I am not calling them list rules because that sounds a bit
severe. And since we are all adults here, we should not have any
problems keeping the following in mind when posting to the list.
1. We are all in the ballroom at VIPhone Manor. Think of the mailing
list as a huge room where all the list members are hanging out and
sharing ideas, experiences, asking questions, ETC about our favorite iOS
devices. There is a wireless microphone being passed around and every
time someone posts to the list, they hold the microphone for that
glorious moment and everyone in the room gets to hear what they have to
say. However if that same someone responds privately to another list
member instead of posting to the list, the conversation is kept quiet
and no one in the ballroom is aware of it. Please try and consider when
you want to post to the list, does everyone need to hear what I have to
say, or does only the person I'm having a conversation need to hear it.
Lively and positive list discussion is encouraged as long as it remains
on topic. Personal conversations or things which are obviously meant for
one person are not.
Some good examples of holding the microphone for everyone to hear are:
Posting about a new app or an update to an app. Discussing good and bad
points about an app or a specific iOS device. Sharing experiences about
an app or a situation where the iOS device made a difference in
something you did. Asking questions about the accessibility of an app.
Comparing apps or iOS devices.
Some not-so-good examples of holding the microphone for everyone to hear
are: Posting one-liner messages such as "me too", "thank you", or "your
welcome" and not adding to the discussion at hand. Asking a specific
person for their email address when it's right there in the message you
are responding to. Treating someone with no respect, or talking down to
someone who might not have an answer to a question. Trying to moderate
the list yourself.
2. Tolerance and patience. This list is comprised of over 1000 people
with a varying range of education, background, ethics, and age. Because
of this we ask that you all show tolerance toward each other's style of
writing and expression. If you feel that a list member has posted a
message which is offensive, unreadable, grammatically or syntactically
incorrect please do not complain about it on list. You can either ignore
the message, or take it up with me or Cara privately. Flaming the list
member on list would not be cool at all. There are times when emotions
can get hot, and if this happens, it's ok to step back and let things
cool down. If action is required by the moderators, let us handle it.
3. Use appropriate language. Foul language is not acceptable on list. We
realize that some words are not considered foul language in certain
parts of the world or in the context used. However when posting to the
list decide on whether your message would be appropriate in a children's
book or if it would be tolerated in grade school.
4. Fellowship. The VIPhone list doesn't only exist to serve as a
database of questions and answers. That is what knowledge bases, FAQs,
and Google searches are for. In addition to exchanging knowledge, This
list is a place for us to fellowship in some small way. Although
personal chat-like posts will always creep up on list, they are not
condoned. It is in our nature to want to discuss things with each other.
They might start off as iOS related but then might stray to other areas.
If this happens, please move the discussion off the list so it can
remain on topic. It is very easy for a discussion about a weather app to
morph into a discussion about the weather in your city and how your pets
feel about the recent climate changes.
5. Appropriate postings. It goes without saying, but please take care to
post messages which are iOS related. Asking questions about the best
Android app for your checkbook, or finding the best places to vacation
next summer are not considered on topic. If you post links to web sites
or podcasts or downloads, make sure they are public links or that you
have permission to post them. Postings containing salacious or
defamatory material, piracy, cracking/hacking of any software, and
anything illegal are unacceptable and inappropriate.
6. Moderating members. I hate writing this one, but it has to be said.
We realize that most everyone here is here to get information from the
list and wants to participate in positive discussion. However there are
always a few bad apples in a large group. (Pun intended). It's these bad
apples which can ruin it for others. Unfortunately if a topic on list
gets out of hand, or someone starts flaming others on list, steps need
to be taken. So, please rest assured that if list members need to be
spoken to regarding list postings, or list behavior, it will be done.
7. List traffic. We realize that list traffic can get a bit overwhelming
at times. This is especially true when a new iOS version comes out. Just
know that usually the increase in traffic during a new iOS release is
just temporary. However you can always do your best to help minimize
that list traffic by following the guidelines you are reading.
Additionally you can switch to digest mode which bundles many messages
into one large one, or you can set filters in Gmail, or in your specific
mail program so that list messages are not flooding that precious inbox.
8. List archives. The archives for this list are available at
www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ which is very speech
friendly and can be searched. This is a great resource to finding that
answer you are looking for regarding a past topic. One which comes to
mind is, "How do I enable or disable the compact voice?" I personally
feel that searching the archives from this page are easier than
searching them from the Google Groups web site, however both can be
done. You will notice that the footer at the end of each message to the
list includes the public list archive address.
That's it for the list guidelines. Remember that if you have any
suggestions, comments, complaints, or constructive criticism regarding
the list. Let me and/or Cara know. We will do our best to make things right.
Happy iOSing.
--
Raul A. Gallegos - VIPhone Moderator
I'm so good at sleeping, I can do it with my eyes closed..Bazinga! aahaa
- Sheldon Cooper
Twitter and Facebook user ID: rau47
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