[Fwd: Re: List purpose]

[Guest guest]

--- Re: rheumatic List purpose

Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:14:25 -0600

From: Probert <jpro2@...>

Reply- rheumatic

<rheumatic >

On 2/27/08 7:33 AM, " Amy " <Evanesce@... <mailto:Evanesce%40rcn.com>>

wrote:

> Ute, can you tell me if there are moderators on this list? Who are they?

The moderators are Ethel Snooks, who posted yesterday, and who has already

indicated she was helping Norm, and and Adlard. posts

every little bit, too.

They help folks as need be, but wouldn't always announce individual concerns

to the entire list.

**** Thanks, Jean. This makes sense. Usually, moderators CAN

unsubscribe people from the group... they have that authority with

. Good to know there is someone here who can help.

> Will moderators help members unsubscribe? I assume so. Why else would

> old time members (such as Norm and Janet) send an 'UNSUBSCRIBE' message

> to the group? An old time member would know about this.

Just because a member has had arthritis for a long time doesn't mean they

have a lot of interest in how email groups work. Most messages from most

groups have the unsubscribe tag in the footer. Most folks overlook it.

**** I do wonder if the Ecartis function complicates the issue. Also,

you probably know that the email at the bottom of list messages is

different from the group name. Perhaps that is an issue.

I try to think in terms of " what if that were my mother, or an elderly aunt,

making that post that is a little ignorant of email lists and procedures " ..

I would like them to be treated politely if they were here, and suspect that

many of the folks who post here are no more prepared to deal with the

minutia of how an email list works than my mother is.

**** This is good netiquette. It was Leonie who first said that she

would not poke fun of others as she has had computer problems at times &

would not have a leg to stand on.

You have to assume that folks are here because they need help with

arthritis, not because they are computer pros.

**** Also, for someone who has been a member reading messages through

out years, I assume they send an 'unsubsribe' message because they know

there is a moderator who CAN help with this. I believe you've been

saying that the moderators can unsubscribe members ... please tell me

if I don't have this right. Also, I do wonder if there is a bigger

problem with unsubscribing because there's been SO many emails about

problems people have trying to unsubscribe & how to do it right.

> Also, perhaps the moderators could consider setting up an automatic

> message with the list rules that goes out to the members once a month.

This group sends out an FAQ on the antibiotic protocol once a month. I doubt

most people read it after the first month, but it goes out every month.

It wouldn't hurt to send out list rules, but there aren't a lot of rules

here, other than it is expected we will be nice to each other...

> This is common practice of groups with . The list rules may

> include a provision to say topics of politics and religion are not

> appropriate. That might have stopped the first post from ever coming

> through.

The first post was from a long time member who knew he was throwing a bomb,

but did it anyway. Nothing wrong with sending a link to some information you

would like to share... The group mentality of a list often escalates in

response to controversial subjects rather than diffusing them, though, so it

is probably best to steer clear of posts that seem likely to ignite

controversy. When one does come through, it is probably best to resist the

urge to fan the flames.

**** I agree with your understanding of the human nature of group

lists. I agree with what " often " happens in these scenarios. What

you've stated, is exactly what DID happen. It took many people, and

not just the new people.

**** There is no doubt that what is 'probably best' is 'probably best'.

But it didn't happen. As you said, the nature of group lists has this

tendency. It does seem that the escalation is what led to Norm &

Janet's complaint.

**** Also, it does not seem fair to condone one post, but not the

replies to it. I just reread Ethel's email, and apparently the topic

if OK-fine for anyone. I had agreed with Ute point, but I guess we

were voted down.

--

Jean

**** Amy