[plug] Newcomers' welcome (revised)

[Mark J Gaynor]

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 5/02/2005 at 3:14 PM James Devenish wrote:

>Hi everyone,
>
>Here is the second public draft of a newcomers' "welcome message".
>This would be sent automatically to each new subscriber when he
>or she joins the list. I welcome your revisions, and you should
>probably post them to the list so that others can gauge their
>feelings. When providing amendments to the message, please be
>sure to quote clearly (or "bottom-post") to make it practical for
>us to merge your suggestions.
>
>________________________________________________________________
>
>Welcome to the discussion list of the Perth Linux Users' Group
>(Australia). If you are new to this community, we recommend you
>read the remainder of this e-mail which has been prepared for your
>benefit. Once you have read this message, you can immediately send
>your own queries by e-mail to
>	plug at plug.linux.org.au
>For additional information about the list, including ways to
>find answers to questions that have already been asked, visit
>	http://www.plug.linux.org.au/resources/mailing-list
>
>If you are new to Linux and are asking a question for the first
>time, you may wish to introduce yourself and indicate your level
>of (or lack of) familiarity with Linux-based computing. Your
     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Let' be positive here. This may be interpreted in ways not intended.
I would leave this out!

>question will be read by anyone else who is currently reading the
>list, and it is likely that someone will respond with an answer.
>However, please keep in mind that it's "luck of the draw" who will
>read and respond to your message. It is also important for you to
>"help us to help you" and that you write for the benefit of being
>read.
>
>To improve our ability to help you, there are several guidelines
>for this list. These are all quite common compared with other
>lists, but could seem daunting if you have not subscribed before.
>We do not mind if you "break a few rules" when you are new, but
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Why have guidelines if you publicly state that we don't mind if you
break them. When are you no longer considered new to the list - 
after the first post, the tenth and who will be keeping count of these
milestones. Let's not even mention this. It is a given that you adhere
to the guidelines. I find the best way to fix any problems is to refer
offenders to the guidelines and let them fix it themselves. People will
soon let you know if they can't understand the guidelines, and that
becomes our problem. (Committee). Just refer them to the relevant
section in the guidelines, it then no personalities are involved.

>please don't be offended if you are asked to try to comply. Also,
>please do not be offended if you don't receive a prompt reply to
>every question: some subscribers only read their e-mail during
>evenings or weekends and cannot read or respond to every message.
>
>The following guidelines can also be viewed and bookmarked at
>our website if you wish to delete this e-mail:
>	http://www.plug.linux.org.au/resources/mailing-list#guidelines
>

I can't find it at present, but there was an excellent guide for people
asking questions on a list. It even went into the psychology of the 
language that different people use. (they refer to the language of
experience). I feel that should be part of the guidelines for this list.

Mark
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