What's a ListServe?
Feature Article from Newsletter #12
8/12/2002
How to Participate in E-mail Discussion Groups
You may have heard people talking about ListServes, but never knew what they meant. A ListServe refers to an automatic mailing list server that holds a set of e-mail addresses used to exchange e-mail between groups of people who have subscribed. The lists are focused on specific topics and participants choose to subscribe so that they can share ideas with others with common interests.
When e-mail is addressed to a list server, it is automatically sent to everyone on the list. The messages are available only to individuals on the list. Sometimes lists are monitored and managed, but some are simply free forums for open dialogue.
As you may know, Teaching Strategies maintains a very active Creative Curriculum e-mail discussion group with more than 430 participants. Many of the questions are answered by TSI authors, staff members, or Staff Development Network trainers.
Whether lists are monitored (as is The Creative Curriculum list) or not, there are rules of "netiquette" which you should follow when participating in e-mail discussion groups.
ListServe Netiquette: Dos and Don'ts:
1.DO share your knowledge and experiences and ASK QUESTIONS. That's what the list is for and what the Internet is all about!
2. DON'T post your request to unsubscribe or change to digest to the list. All requests about your subscription should go to the majordomo, not to the list. The information about how to unsubscribe or change to digest is spelled out in the confirmation e-mail you receive when you first subscribe.
3. DO put appropriate and clear information about your post in the SUBJECT line.
4. DON'T include the entire contents of a previous posting in your reply, but do include just enough to indicate what you're responding to.
5. DO quote or paraphrase what you're responding to and who said it.
5. DO avoid sarcasm. Remember that the reader can't interpret your facial expressions or body language, and what you think is funny or cute might be offensive to the other person.
6. DO save your subscription confirmation letter for reference.
7. DO remain constructive and avoid "flaming" (posting inflamatory messages to others on the list). Treat the others on the list as you would want them to treat you.
8. DON'T forward long mail messages to group addresses or distribution lists. Alternatively, paraphrase or quote a portion of the material and reference the source of a document and provide instructions on how to obtain a copy.
9. DO warn readers when you post a long message. Include a statement in the subject line or at the top of the mail message. Example: WARNING: LONG MESSAGE
10. DO remember that the Internet is international. Don't assume that participants will understand a reference to TV, movies, pop culture, or current events in your country, city, or state. If you must use the reference, please explain it.
If you'd like to join the Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum list:
1) Go to the home page at http://www.teachingstrategies.com
2) Scroll to the middle of the page
3) Put your e-mail address in the Creative Curriculum e-mail discussion group query box on the left side of the page.
Be prepared for A LOT of e-mail about early childhood classroom practice! If the amount of e-mail is overwhelming, you can change your subscription to DIGEST version once you have subscribed by following the directions on the confirmation message you recieve when you subscribe or visit our list guidelines.
