Posting guidelines

Following discussion on the BBC Micro Mailing List it was decided that this document was needed.

This is a work in progress, it is hoped that list members will discuss the points raised here and modify these guidelines as necessary. Feel free to trash this page and replace it with something better.

Golden rule

Follow the golden rule, treat others' opinions with the same respect that you would like to be afforded.

General guidelines

Message subject

Keep message subjects concise, meaningful and relevant to the group.

Subject prefixes:

• [Ann] or [Announce] for announcements.
• [FAQ] for a post containing a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
• [Rant] if you feel that you have something to say and you can't keep quiet.
• [OT] Off-topic, use this if you need to post relating to a topic not related to the group.

Messages falling under [Rant] and [OT] should only be posted after careful consideration.

When responding to a message please DO NOT change the subject line. It is very difficult to follow conversations if the subject line keeps changing.

Multiple replies

When responding publicly to a post on the mailing list please resist the temptation to Cc: a copy of the message to the original author. Failing to do so ensures that the original author gets two copies of your reply.

Things to avoid

Foul language

Swearing and other foul language is unecessary and will not be tolerated by the group, consistant failure to moderate your language will result in a request to the list owner for you to be removed.

Name calling

As with foul language, name calling is unnecessary and will not be tolerated by the group, consistant failure to respect others will result in a request to the list owner for you to be removed.

Trolling

Don't troll. Quick definition: posting purposely inflammatory things for the sole purpose of baiting others to argue the points until blue in the face - basically people do this for kicks, to destroy conversations and communites, for the hell of it.

DO NOT FEED THE TROLL. If you see one on the mailing list do not get involved.

Spam

DO NOT POST SPAM TO THE GROUP.

I repeat...NO SPAM.

External Links

• RISC OS Mailing List and Usenet Posting Guidelines A relevant article by Peter Naulls.
• Wikipedia article about trolling.