ADMIN required reading for just about everyone

["harp-l listowner" <owner-harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>]

In light of the threads of the last 24 hrs I'm going to post some of the
more pertinent guidelines of this list.  The complete document as always
is available at www.harp-l.com  Just click on the link entitled welcome to
harp-l.

Corrections  -  Content, Bad Spooling and Grammar.

   If someone posts information which is incorrect, polite and accurate
   corrections are welcome.  Rude comments and Flames will NOT be
   tolerated (see below).

   Don't even *think* about posting a criticism of someone's spelling
   or grammar to the list, if you know what they are saying, deal with the
   poor spelling and/or grammar.

Flames  -  This will get you removed FAST!

   Flaming is when personal opinions clash and people verbally assault
   others.  Flaming is discouraged at ALL times on the Internet, and
   using the mailing list as a medium for flaming will result in immediate
   removal from the list.

   There is sometimes a thin line between spirited debate and flaming.
   Owner-harp-l will usually post a general warning (usually with the
   subject being "ADMINISTRIVIA - chill pill") to the list if it looks
   like a debate is getting near the line.

Posting  -  Do you have anything to say?

   It is always tempting to reply to any given message with some witty
   remark, or off-topic comment.  This is OK on small / low volume lists,
   but on a high volume, large list is can rapidly become a problem of
   epidemic scale.  Please keep these exchanges as person to person email,
   not through the list.  This doesn't mean you can't include the cute or
   humorous stuff in other messages with some harp related content, but
   let's not get carried away.

   An often used and acceptable ploy is the ObHarpContent tag somewhere
   in your message, accompanied by some harmonica related tidbit of
   information, just to stay technically within the rules.

   The aim is to maintain a healthy sense of community and social
   interaction without swamping the list with non-harmonica trivia.

Private/Personal Conversations  -

   Once a topic concerns only two or three people and not the list, the
   conversation should be taken to private e-mail and off of the list.

   Also, try to avoid asking a person for their e-mail address through the
   list, until you've exhausted ALL other resources (HINT:  Check the
   "From:" line in the message header or send a "who harp-l" to
   majordomo@xxxxxxxxxx).

Administrative Messages  -  Mail from Owner-Harp-L.

   Every now and then the list owner will post a message covering some
   administrative topic, with the first word of the Subject being
   ADMIN.

   These should ALWAYS be read and, and if necessary KEPT for future
   reference.  Unless the message invites on-list comment, you should
   never include the list in any replies to an ADMIN message.

   You should never send your own ADMIN messages, even
   in jest.

Owner-Harp-L

   Owner-Harp-L is the person who administers both the list and the
   systems which run it, and has the responsibility to enforce the rules and
   regulations layed out in this document.

   Regardless of rights and wrongs, what owner-harp-l says, goes.  This
   doesn't mean that his or her opinions carry any more weight, it just
   means that at the end of the day, someone has to make the decisions
   and lay down the law.


 o The Thought Police  -

   If people do stuff that gets on your nerves, and it goes against the
   substance or spirit of this charter, say so.  Don't get personal or
   upset about it, just mail Owner-Harp-L and state your case.  If
   Owner-Harp-L agrees, s/he mails the individual and/or list and lays
   down the law.  The process is anonymous.  If Owner-Harp-L doesn't
   agree, you drop it and get over it.

   If enough people start mailing Owner-Harp-L about something not
   covered by this document, Owner-Harp-L has to take the issue to
   the list and get a vote to change the charter.


 o The Spirit  -  of Harp-L and this document.

   The spirit of this document is to promote a list "atmosphere" that
   is still friendly and personal, but which maintains a tight focus.




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* NOTE:  Go back and REread the last section.  If you do not follow these 
  *
*        rules and guidelines, the list owner reserves the right to remove
  *
*        you from the list WITHOUT notice and in extreme cases, without
the  *
*        opportunity to rejoin later.                                     
  *
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