Dear colleagues,
I wish to draw everyone's attention to the following extracts from the
list's policy and from the policy of Mailbase.
* * * * * *
A: From the list's policy / introductory message, at:
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/cgi-bin/intro?medieval-religion
1 What is medieval-religion?
Medieval-religion is an on-line list that provides a forum for discussions
related to religious life and thought in Europe from late antiquity to the
early modern period. Our aim is to encourage interdisciplinary links between
related fields and areas of research including (for example) art history,
codicology, hagiography, history, literature (sacred and profane, Latin and
vernacular), liturgy, philosophy, sermon studies, and theology.
When a subscriber sends a message to the list, it is automatically sent out
to all the other subscribers. Typically, a contributor will raise a question
arising from his or her research, to which several other subscribers will
reply. Often, these replies can differ, laying the groundwork for
instructive debate and stimulating further participation from other
subscribers.
This unmoderated list is sponsored by the School of Modern Languages of the
University of Leicester, and the Department of Theology and Religious
Studies of the University of Bristol.
<snip>
2 How to post a message
a) addresses
If you wish to post a message to the list, the correct address is:
[log in to unmask]
If you wish to send a message to the listowners, the correct address is:
[log in to unmask]
b) subject line
The subject line should be succinct and descriptive. If you have a query
regarding, for example, the sermons of Francis of Assisi, your subject line
should read ‘Sermons of Francis of Assisi’; it should not read ‘Sermons’,
‘Francis’, or ‘Help’.
If over the course of a discussion the main subject in question should
change significantly, please alter the subject line accordingly.
c) text of message
This is where you submit your query, response, opinion or other information
to the list.
If your message refers to a previous message, make clear in succinct form to
which message you refer; indeed, it would be helpful if you could specify
which part of the message to which you refer. Please do not cite the full
text of a previous message, but cite only the relevant portions upon which
you comment.
Restrain from sending messages which do not contribute to the actual
discussion.
<snip>
If someone posts a message that seems to you to be in questionable taste or
of dubious relevance to the list, please do NOT make a comment of this
nature to the entire list; rather, either write directly to the person who
posted the message, or write directly to the listowners.
* * * * * * * *
B: From the Overview of Mailbase page, at:
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/docs/overview.html
What is Mailbase?
Mailbase is a service which runs electronic discussion lists for the UK
higher education and research community.
* * * * * * * *
C: From the Mailbase Acknowledgements page, at:
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/docs/acknowledges.html
Mailbase is funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee of the Higher
Education Funding Councils for England, Scotland and Wales and the
Department of Education for Northern Ireland.
[My personal note: this means that UK taxpayers pay for academics to make
appropriate use of this service.]
* * * * * * * *
C: From the Mailbase Guidelines page, at:
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/docs/guidelines.html
Sending messages to Mailbase lists is generally a matter of common sense and
courtesy, and Mailbase users should be able to use their own sense of what
is appropriate to guide their behaviour.
These are practical guidelines which should help you use Mailbase lists in a
way which will most benefit yourself and other people on the list. Not all
these guidelines work for all situations, so use your discretion and
remember:
1. When you send a message to a list it will be read by a variety of people,
on a variety of computers. Please be aware of this and be considerate
towards your fellow list members.
2. When you send a message, you are doing it either for the benefit of the
other members of the list, or to gain benefit from the other members of the
list. Please bear this in mind.
<snip>
1.5 Don't flame
A flame is when you call someone names, are overtly rude, or are blatantly
sarcastic or condescending. It looks immature and unprofessional. Anything
worth saying can, and must, be stated in polite terms.
Remember that a large audience will see your messages, so be careful what
you write. Also remember that people may keep a copy of your messages and
your messages may also be archived at Mailbase. So your words could be
stored for a very long time.
<snip>
3.2 Write relevant messages
Please make sure that your messages are relevant to the list. They should
also be brief and to the point.
If you send a reply to the list, your reply should contribute something to
the discussion. Don't send messages saying "I agree" or "right on" to the
whole list. You should also restrain yourself from sending messages purely
to point out other people's errors in typing or spelling.
* * * * * * * *
D: From the Mailbase Owners FAQ, at:
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/docs/owner-faq.html
Someone has sent an undesirable message to my list - what should I do?
Sometimes a list member will be unaware of what is and is not acceptable
practice on your list. If this is the case, send them a gentle message
explaining the problem. Quoting relevant sections of the Mailbase Guidelines
may help.
If you feel that stronger measures are needed, you can contact the Mailbase
Helpline for support or advice.
* * * * * * * *
With regard to the last line of the extracts above, I have spoken to the
administrators of Mailbase, and I have been told that the Mailbase policy,
with regard to any problems on a list, is to support and enable the
decisions of the list owners (in the case of medieval-religion, that would
be Carolyn, Otfried and me).
Please note that it is possible, permissable and legitimate for the
listowners to remove members from the list.
If any of the above is in any way unclear, please write directly to the list
owners at:
[log in to unmask]
(Do NOT write or reply to the list, please.)
I would invite members to respect the spirit and the letter of the list's
intentions. If anyone should wish to act otherwise, s/he is strongly
encouraged to leave medieval-religion and either to join another list that
is more in keeping with her/his tastes and needs, or to start such a list
herself/himself.
Vale,
George
* * * * * * * *
George Ferzoco Office: Attenborough Tower 1112
Director, Italian Studies Office Tel ++ 44 (0)116 252 2654
University of Leicester Office Fax ++ 44 (0)116 252 2657
School of Modern Languages Sec. Tel ++ 44 (0)116 252 2680
University Road Sec. Fax ++ 44 (0)116 252 3633
LEICESTER LE1 7RH e-mail: [log in to unmask]
UNITED KINGDOM http://www.le.ac.uk/ml/gpf2/gpf2.html
List owner of italian-studies:
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists/italian-studies
List owner of medieval-religion:
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion
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