Your work comes through fine to me. I'm sure you have it right. Arthur
----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin dewar" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2003 1:06 PM
Subject: Re: Please read : List protocol/Arthur


Arthur,

I'm trying to go plain text if I haven't already. Let me know if I don't
succeed.

Colin


----- Original Message -----
From: "arthur seeley" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 12:27 PM
Subject: Please read : List protocol


   Hi everyone, I have my moderator's hat on at the moment( a rather elegant
black snap-brim fedora that emphasises my classical Grecian profile, but
that's another story)

           There has been a bit of a turnover in the List population lately
for one reason or another so it will not harm to re –iterate some of the
guidelines that ensure the smooth running of the List.

             The List is a fundamentally a workshop and its purpose is to
allow poets to test their work against the opinions of their peers. In
addition to this function the List allows for the dissemination of
information relating to poetry readings, publications, etc. It is hoped that
occasionally some debate about poetics can usefully take place.
            This has always been in my experience a friendly, helpful site.
I personally recognise I am a better poet for being here. It has to be hoped
that sometimes something more than a cyber friendship can develop and that
is a side benefit to be enjoyed.
           The site is widely used and there is considerable exchange of
mail with subscribers from all over the world. The danger of viral infection
being transmitted is hence high. The danger of this happening can be
mitigated by ensuring that all mail sent to the site is done so in ‘plain
text’. If you use Outlook Express this is done by clicking on ‘Format’ and
then clicking on ‘plain text’ on the drop-down menu.
            Apart from mitigating the dangers of infection some subscribers
have old computers and ‘rich text’ is received as a jumbled mess. This of
course limits the readership of work sent in that form and consequently
limits feedback.
         The giving of criticism should always aim to be constructive and
helpful. It is expected on most Lists, and no less on this one, that if you
submit one poem you should comment on at least three others. The comment can
be in detail or brief.  Not all of us are profuse commentators/critics so
brevity is to be expected sometimes. It is possible to be robust in our
criticism and courteous at the same time.
            In many ways it understandable to see our poems as our children
and to be defensive of them and to be hurt and upset if the criticism we
receive is not what we wanted to hear. The way we receive criticism should
be based on the assumption that the criticism offered is done so in the
manner prescribed in the preceding paragraph. We have taken our poem and
offered it for comment and we must accept that the comments received are
honest, personal and intended to be constructive in the development of the
poem and, ultimately, in the development of ourselves as poets. Whatever the
nature of the criticism it a courtesy to thank the critic for their time and
effort in responding.
         If anyone feels the need to address someone’s work in a manner that
is not constructive and helpful this should be done back channel ( b/c),
which is to do it by personal exchange of e-mails and not through the List.
       At the same time The List is not a Chat room. It is left to
subscribers good sense to recognise what is pertinent to the List and its
purpose and what is Chat and to use the List or go back channel accordingly.
This does not limit or frown upon light banter.
        The List is not a censor and subscribers are free to use whatever
language they choose. However, it has to be acknowledged that not everyone
wants to read what they consider to be offensive language, material or
themes. If anyone submits work that might be construed in that manner then
the poem should carry a warning as a precursor to the poem.
       These are not rules. They are an acceptable protocol established when
the list was established. They ensure that the purposes of the site are met
in a friendly  air of encouragement.
Anyone who feels this protocol is inhibitive or restrictive are free to
discuss the issues with me  b/c at [log in to unmask]
Thanks for reading , Arthur.