[nukkad] interesting and relevant here:

["Tirumurti Vasudevan" <>]

from http://www.internetiquette.org/discussions.php
Discussion Groups

   1. When you join a list, monitor the messages for a few days to get
a feel for what common questions are asked, and what topics are deemed
off-limits. This is commonly referred to as lurking. When you feel
comfortable with the group, then start posting.

   2. See if there is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for a group
that you are interested in joining. Veteran members get annoyed when
they see the same questions every few weeks, or at the start of each
semester.

   3. Follow any and all guidelines that the listowner has posted; the
listowner establishes the local "netiquette" standards for her/his
list.

   4. Keep in mind that some discussion lists or Usenet groups have
members from many countries.
          * Don't assume that they will understand a reference to TV,
movies, pop culture, or current events in your country. If you must
use the reference, please explain it.
          * Don't assume that they understand geographical references
that are local or national.

   5. Don't join a list just to post inflammatory messages - this
upsets most system administrators and you could lose access to the net
("mail bombing").

   6. Keep your questions and comments relevant to the focus of the
discussion group.

   7. If another person posts a comment or question that is off the
subject, do NOT reply to the list and keep the off- subject
conversation going publicly.

   8. When someone posts an off-subject note, and someone else
criticizes that posting, you should NOT submit a gratuitous note
saying "well, I liked it and lots of people probably did as well and
you guys ought to lighten up and not tell us to stick to the subject".

   9. When going away for more than a week, unsubscribe or suspend
mail from any mailing lists or LISTSERV services.

  10. If you can respond to someone else's question, do so through
email. Twenty people answering the same question on a large list can
fill your mailbox (and those of everyone else on the list) quickly.

  11. When quoting another person, edit out whatever isn't directly
applicable to your reply. Don't let your mailing or Usenet software
automatically quote the entire body of messages you are replying to
when it's not necessary. Take the time to edit any quotations down to
the minimum necessary to provide context for your reply. Nobody likes
reading a long message in quotes for the third or fourth time, only to
be followed by a one line response: "Yeah, me too."

  12. Use discretion when forwarding a long mail message to group
addresses or distribution lists. It's preferable to reference the
source of a document and provide instructions on how to obtain a copy.
If you must post a long message, warn the readers with a statement at
the top of the mail message. Example: WARNING: LONG MESSAGE

  13. If you crosspost messages to multiple groups, include the name
of the groups at the top of the mail message with an apology for any
duplication.

  14. Resist the temptation to "flame" others on the list. Remember
that these discussions are "public" and meant for constructive
exchanges. Treat the others on the list as you would want them to
treat you.

  15. When posting a question to the discussion group, request that
responses be directed to you personally. Post a summary or answer to
your question to the group.

  16. When replying to a message posted to a discussion group, check
the address to be certain it's going to the intended location (person
or group). It can be very embarrassing if they reply incorrectly and
post a personal message to the entire discussion group that was
intended for an individual.

  17. When signing up for a group it is important to save your
subscription confirmation letter for reference. That way if you go on
vacation you will have the subscription address for suspending mail.

  18. Use your own personal Email account, don't subscribe using a
shared office account.

  19. Occasionally subscribers to the list who are not familiar with
proper netiquette will submit requests to SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE
directly to the list itself. Be tolerant of this activity, and
possibly provide some useful advice as opposed to being critical.

  20. Other people on the list are not interested in your desire to be
added or deleted. Any requests regarding administrative tasks such as
being added or removed from a list should be made to the appropriate
area, not the list itself. Mail for these types of requests should be
sent to the following respectively:
--
BE HAPPY! LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE UNHAPPY!


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To do great work a man must be very idle as well as very industrious. 
-Samuel Butler, poet (1612-1680)
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