I guess part of the answer is about available resources in time and
technical know how.

If this is, as I guess, an entirely not-for-profit ie voluntary list then we
do rely on some of our members putting in that time and expertise for no
personal financial reward.

Big thanks to you who do.

At any one time there is obviously a limit to the size of what free time and
expertise is available - but I believe with inout and encouragement that
size can be enlarged.

regards

tony

ps Great image, Sarah, of a square foot in a square mouth!


----- Original Message -----
From: "Sarah Willans" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: New member - this list and its function for the novice - Tony


> Having started this, I feel I should say here that this seems to me
> (admittedly after only a couple of days' observation) to be a commendably
> disciplined, courteous list. I have seen no evidence of the off-topic
> posting, flaming and other nastiness that some lists are plagued with.
>
> That said, I have tried, and sometimes joined, other lists devoted to
> various subjects, and one feature stands out as being particularly helpful
> to the newcomer: Some lists use their files area to store information that
> everyone who joins the list will need - the sort of general pointers that
> Arthur kindly posted for me. I don't know how this list works,  but on
> others the attention of all new members is drawn to the 'read this first'
> file by means of the message they receive when they sign up, or in text
> displayed on the list's 'home' page (probably not the proper term, sorry).
> All too often, without some ground rules for guidance, new members fail to
> pick up on the established conventions of the group, post what they think
is
> an acceptable and relevant message, offend an existing member and -
bingo -
> the fireworks begin! On other occasions, newcomers fail to recognise the
> tacit understanding between the 'oldies' about 'how we do things', and
step
> into the perceived vacuum with ideas of their own. Existing members take
> offence at the upstart who has thrust him/herself into their midst and is
> trying to teach them to suck eggs and, once again, the fireworks begin.
Come
> to think of it, that's rather what I'm doing now (bows out gracefully,
foot
> embedded squarely in mouth).
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tony Hillier" <[log in to unmask]>
> Snip
>
> > In what way is it designed to encourage and attract writers who are new
to
> > the field and especially new to putting their work up for comments and
> > commenting on others?
> >
> > Has a past posting covered this in terms of the basics readers can look
> out
> > for and comment on?
> >