From: noreply@base.com (Gordon Irlam)
To: shy@base.com
Subject: Sml List FAQ

Document: Sml List FAQ
Current version: http://www.base.com/shy/shy-list-faq.txt
Last updated: 1998-10-28

This Sml List FAQ is intended to answer common questions related to
the shyness mailing list.  It mainly focuses on list administrative
issues.

==> What is the purpose of this list?

    This list is for the discussion of shyness.

==> How do I get off this list?

    Go to http://www.base.com/shy/

    and follow the instructions.

==> What topics are appropriate for discussion?

    Appropriate topics of discussion include both the nature of
    shyness and personal attempts at overcoming shyness.  General
    social discussion and interaction amongst people that suffer from
    shyness is also welcome.  (Some day this later discussion might be
    moved to a separate list).

==> What topics are inappropriate for discussion?

    Criticism of people is not appropriate for this list; listening,
    caring, helping, trusting, and understanding are.

==> What is the policy regarding confidentiality of messages?

    Messages sent to this list should be treated as confidential, and
    should not be forwarded to people not on this list, or otherwise
    publicly disclosed without permission from the sender.
    Subscribers to this list should realize that the open public
    nature of the Internet means that this policy is however unable to
    provide any sort of absolute guarantee as to the privacy of their
    postings.  (This policy is also not intended as absolute law, and
    in some exceptional cases, such as if someone appeared suicidal,
    common sense applies, and it might be appropriate to violate it).

==> How do I post to the list?

    Send your message to shy@base.com

    Do not send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to this address.

==> My messages don't seem to be getting through to the list?

    To prevent spam the list only allows postings from members.  The
    list software determines if you are a member based on your email
    address.  Check and make sure the address you are posting from is
    the same as the address you used when you subscribed.

==> How should I reply to an existing message?

    Always try and avoid attaching, including, or quoting, the entire
    original message.  Everyone on the list has already received the
    original message, and so at best all this does is send them
    another copy of the original message, which they then have to skip
    over.  This is especially frustrating for list digest subscribers,
    who if several people have replied to the same message, are then
    forced to scroll past two, three, four, or perhaps even five
    copies of the same messages.

    If your reply relates to the entire subject of the original
    message, simply post your reply without including any of the
    original message.  The subject heading will provide sufficient
    context for people to make sense of your reply.

    If your reply relates to a specific comment in the original
    message, simply quote that comment, and delete the remainder of
    the message before posting your reply.

==> Can I post HTML messages?

    No.  Do not post HTML encoded messages to the list.

    Many mail readers are unable to display HTML messages, and the
    list digest also gets messed up as a result of HTML messages.

==> Can I post messages with attachments?

    No.  Do not post MIME attachments to the list.

    Even today many people have mail readers that are either unable to
    process attachments, or can only do so in a cumbersome fashion.
    More importantly the list digest gets messed up as a result of
    attachments.  Instead of posting an attachment, if the attachment
    was a text file, simply copy the text you want into the body of
    your message, or if the attachment contained graphics or sound,
    simply include a http website address (or other URL) indicating
    where it can be found.

==> Can I post plain text format messages?

    Yes.  In fact text format messages are the only type of messages
    you should ever post to the list.  If possible try and limit the
    length of all lines to no more than 80 characters.

==> Can I post in Spanish, French, Japanese, or Swahili?

    Yes.  Postings made in English will reach the most members, but
    postings are not restricted to English.

==> What is the list digest?

    The regular list comprises 5-10 messages a day.  The digest
    version collects these multiple messages together and sends them
    all as one large message every 1-3 days.  It is useful for people
    who find they are getting too many messages.

==> How do I get on the digest?

    Go to http://www.base.com/shy/

    Unsubscribe from the regular list and subscribe to the digest.

==> What shyness related resources exist on the web?

    Go to http://www.base.com/shy/

    You will find pointers to newsgroups, articles, counseling,
    websites, and other resources.  There would be listed here except
    the information might get out of date.

==> How can I help support this list?

    This list was created out of a love for the net.  I wanted to give
    something back to the net and make it a better place.  The goal
    was not to make a profit.

    That said, we pay around $800/year for internet connectivity, not
    including hardware costs or time spent administering the list.
    These costs get spread out across a number of mailing lists and
    websites, and other people also pay us for running some of these
    other mailing lists and websites.

    You can help us offset some of our costs if you consider using the
    following link whenever you purchase books or music online:

        http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/basecom

    The price you are charged will not change, but we will receieve a
    commission on all of your purchases, for which we would be
    grateful, and say thank you.