INFO: HWG-Basics Admin FAQ 07.28.00

Hello, Basics Members: :-)

This FAQ is will be sent to you each Friday to keep you up
to date with HWG information as well as to introduce the List
Guide Program to our new members.  Keep the most current
weekly FAQ in a convenient location for easy reference to the
latest Guild resources and information.

WANTED! Helpful organized individuals willing to share their
time and experience with the HTML Writers Guild's List
Guide Program.  We currently have several openings in the
List Guide Roster.  If you have been a member for at least
3 months and are interested in joining the List Guide Team
please email: lg-manager(at)hwg.org for details.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Judith Kallos
List Guide/HWG Basics
Asst. List Guide Manager

***************************************
HWG-Basics Administrative FAQ
Last Updated:  07.28.00
***************************************

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CONTENTS
----------
1.  Mailing List Reminders
2.  What are List Guides?
3.  Who are the HWG-Basics List Guides?
4.  How do I volunteer to become a List Guide?
5.  Can I subscribe to the list without getting so much E-Mail?
6.  How do I subscribe and unsubscribe?
7.  How do I send a message to the list?
8.  What if my messages are not posting to the list?
9.  What is the HWG-Basics mailing list?
10.  What topics do NOT belong on HWG-Basics?
11.  What other lists are available?


1.  Mailing List Reminders
=====================================================

Many members of our list receive tons of email per day and reading
through unedited posts can be very tedious at times.  One of the
Netiquette Guidelines for the HWG asks that members edit their
replies on the mailing lists.

When you reply to a post, it is best to edit out any information that
you are not directly responding to.  Information like the email headers
or .signature files are not necessary in a reply post.  If you are
responding to an entire post, you may not even need to include the
post (that is your decision).  As long as you include the original subject
line and the name of the person who sent what you are replying to,
people should understand and be able to follow the discussion.

Some people may wonder why they are asked to do this.  When you
think about the fact that there are thousands of messages being sent
out on a daily basis through the HWG mail server, it makes sense that
a little editing can go a long way in helping the server's performance
as well as making the list more streamlined for those reading every
post.


2.  What are List Guides?
=====================================================

The List Guide Program was created to assist members on the HWG
Mailing Lists to get the most from the lists. We perform the task of helping
the lists get and keep quality, valuable, valid content. In addition, List
Guides provide assistance to all who request it and help enforce the HWG
policies for the mailing lists.  Information on the List Guide program can be
found at http://www.hwg.org/lists/intro.html .

We are here, always in the background, to assist you with your questions
and concerns.  We do contact members, via private email, when we are
concerned about a post that may have infringed on the Actionable Rules
located at: <http://www.hwg.org/lists/rules.html>.   Please understand we
will always err on the side off caution when it comes to these 10 rules and
appreciate your understanding in this regard.  We do not _generally_
enforce Netiquette Guidelines.  <http://www.hwg.org/lists/netiquette.html>

If you have a problem with what someone else has posted to the list, then
you may freely respond to them in private email.  List Guides will address
any violations of the HWG's Mailing List's Actionable Rules via private
email.  Refusal to abide by the Actionable rules can result in a member
being removed from the mailing list permanently or for a period of time
depending on the nature of the disturbance the member has caused.

The List Guide program is authorized and endorsed by the HTML Writers
Guild Governing Board. If you have a problem with an action taken by a
List Guide you may address that with their manager(s) by sending mail to
lg-manager(at)hwg.org .


3.  Who are the HWG-Basics List Guides?
======================================================

Individuals Currently Volunteering for HWG-Basics:

HWG-Basics List Guides:  <lg-basics(at)hwg.org>
     Jen Hennberry
     Judith Kallos
     Jagannath Vedula
     Lisa Whirrett


You can email the Basics List Guide Team at <lg-basics(at)hwg.org>
with any questions you may have in regards to the HWG-Basics List.


4.  How do I volunteer to become a List Guide?
==========================================

Want to get involved with the HTML Writers Guild?  We are always
seeking helpful organized individuals willing to share their time and
experience with the List Guide Program.  We currently have several
openings in the List Guide Roster.  If you enjoy helping others and
have been an HWG Member for at least three months, and are
interested in joining the List Guide Team can email: lg-manager(at)hwg.org
for details and an application


5.  How do I subscribe and unsubscribe?
=====================================================

When sending out a subscribe or unsubscribe message, subject
information is NOT needed.  Do NOT include your E-Mail address in
the subscribe message.  If you have any problems with subscribing
or unsubscribing, please send E-Mail to owner-hwg-basics(at)hwg.org
or to the List Guides <lg-basics(at)hwg.org> .

To unsubscribe from the HWG Basics List
you need to send a message to:

hwg-basics-request(at)hwg.org
In the body of the message type: unsubscribe

For information about subscribing to the list, please see:
http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-basics/index.html#1

For information about UNsubscribing to the list, please see:
http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-basics/index.html#4


6.  Can I subscribe to the list without getting so much E-Mail?
======================================================

A "digest" version of the list is available. By subscribing to the digest
version of the hwg-basics mailing list, you receive a group of posts
in one E-Mail message. That way, instead of getting 20 messages a day
from the list, you would get 1 or 2 which contain all of the posts from that
day. You can still participate in the hwg-basics list like a regular
subscriber, you just receive your messages in a more compact manner.

For information about subscribing to the Digest version, please see:
http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-basics/index.html#2

For information about UNsubscribing to the Digest version, please see:
http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-basics/index.html#5


7.  How do I send a message to the list?
=====================================================

Each list has a different feel and different general community rules.
Please spend some time listening in ("lurking") before posting in
order to get a feel for the way in which conversations take place.

To send a message to the hwg-basics list, send mail to:
    hwg-basics(at)hwg.org


8.  What if my message is not posting to the list?
======================================================

First troubleshoot the following items:

*Did you subscribe to the Basics List and receive confirmation the
subscription was processed?

*Are you sending your post to: hwg-basics(at)hwg.org?

*Are you sending using the email address you originally used to subscribe
to the list?

*Does the email you subscribed with have an autoresponder attached to it or
include HTML formatting or attachments?

It is not uncommon for members to change email addresses and inadvertently
forget that the "new" address was not the one they used when they subscribed
to the list.  The new address would not be recognized by the mail server and
therefore your messages would not be forwarded to the list.

Also, autoresponders and ISP problems that create bounced messages may
cause the list's filters to automatically unsubscribe you from the 
list.  If after
checking all the above possibilities out you still are experiencing 
difficulties,
email the List Guides for assistance.


9.  What is the HWG-Basics mailing list?
======================================================

The HWG-Basics list is targeted towards those of you who are just getting
started with HTML authoring.  Its charter includes beginning to intermediate
discussion of all areas of web site design and creation, so feel free to write
about anything reasonably related to HTML authoring - there's  no such thing
as a stupid question here!

The Frequently Asked Questions for the HWG-Basics List is located at:

<http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-basics/index.html>


10.  What topics do NOT belong on HWG-Basics?
======================================================

Messages sent to the entire list that are just "Thanks for your help"
messages, should be sent privately, not through the list. Although it is a
courteous thing to do, it is best to keep messages like that off of the
list. If you want to, when you post a request for information or help, you
can thank members "in advance".  You may notice that some members
write "TIA" in their messages, which means "Thanks In Advance".

If you would like to have your web site looked at by other members of the
Guild and get feedback from them, please post requests to the hwg-critique
list. Requests for feedback (critiques) are not allowed on the hwg-basics
list.

Discussion of pricing is NOT allowed on any HWG Mailing Lists. More
information about the HWG's policy on pricing discussion can be  found at:
<http://www.hwg.org/faqs/priceFAQ.html> .   If you ever have a question in
regards to the pricing policy, please do not hesitate to ask one of the List
Guides at lg-basics(at)hwg.org *before* posting.

Finally, discussion about the operation or administration of the HTML
Writers Guild should not be posted on the hwg-basics list.  There is a
Membership Suggest Box area on the HWG Web site for you to make
constructive and helpful suggestions directly to the Governing Board.  This
service also gives you the opportunity to submit your ideas on what kind of
services you would like to see from the Guild, your feedback on current
Guild projects, and ideas for new Guild programs.

<http://www.hwg.org/opcenter/suggest/>

To ensure that members feel their needs are being met, the Governing
Board has created a new position on the Board, Guild Ombudsman.
The role of the Ombudsman is to assist in resolving any difficulties
between members and the Guild's administration, and to serve as a
primary contact for members who want to make their opinions known.

Note that the role of Ombudsman is not a general complaint desk;
each HWG program has a way to present problems and those should
be used first -- for example, questions about the Logo program can go
to the Logo manager. The Ombudsman's role is to resolve problems if
you feel the normal methods haven't worked to your satisfaction.

Frank Boumphrey has been appointed to the position of Ombudsman,
to serve from now until the Board's annual meeting in February. If you
would like to speak to him about any questions regarding Guild
services, you may write to him at:

mailto:ombudsman(at)hwg.org

As always, the members are what make the Guild strong -- we're here
to help you!


11.  What other mailing lists are available?
======================================================

The HWG offers a plethora of list selections for members to choose from
depending on their areas of interest.  For an overview of all the general and
topic specific lists offered by the HWG please visit:

<http://www.hwg.org/lists/mailinglists.html>

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