HTML Writers Guild Member Newsletter -- February 1998

HTML Writers Guild Member Newsletter -- February 1998
Volume 4 Number 2

- Table of Contents -

* Have You Been Published?
* Mentor/Apprentice Program
* Online Classes
* Revisions to the Guild's Mailing List Policy
* Revisions to List Offerings and Charters
* Message from the Treasurer
* Governing Board Election Update
* Volunteer(s) Wanted
* Newsletter Administrative Notes


**
- HAVE YOU BEEN PUBLISHED? -

The Guild will soon be implementing several programs and resources that
will make use of written materials. We realize that our members are often
the best source of quality information and talent, so we ask: Have you been
published? 

If you've written, co-written,  or tech edited web or internet related
materials: books, magazine articles, zine submissions, etc, we'd like to
hear about it!

Please respond to ann(at)hwg.org with a list of your published materials
that are still publicly available (books still in print, magazine
articles published in the last 3 years, or electronic documents
still available on line). Include the work's title, publisher, ISBN
number (books), issue of publication (magazines), and a short
description of the work and your involvement. 

Help us highlight your talents!


**
- MENTOR/APPRENTICE PROGRAM -

The Mentor/Apprentice Program is now fully operational, with 128 
apprentices and 62 mentors. Applications for apprenticeship are 
coming in at a rate of five or six per day.The program is in great  
need of mentors, particularly in the areas of Java, SGML, and CGI.

If you would like to apply for the program, either as mentor or 
apprentice, information is available at:
http://www.hwg.org/services/mentor/
Mentors must have been a member for at least six months and 
apprentices must be either value or plus members.


**
- ONLINE CLASSES -

The Online Classes Program is very close to becoming a reality. If 
you are interested in volunteering to help, if you have suggestions 
for classes you would like to take, or would just like more 
information, send email to classes(at)hwg.org.


**
- REVISIONS TO THE GUILD'S MAILING LIST POLICY -

As of February 4, the Guild's Mailing List Policy, the rules that 
govern participation on the list, have been revised. Most of the 
changes were made to allowed greater freedom in sharing information 
on our lists.  The main page is at http://www.hwg.org/lists/cover.html  

The Netiquette Guidelines are at http://www.hwg.org/lists/netiquette.html  

The Actionable Rules, the most changed of the pages, is found at 
http://www.hwg.org/lists/rules.html

Please re-familiarize yourself with these 
new Guidelines and Rules; the changes are to your advantage.


**
- REVISIONS TO LIST OFFERINGS AND CHARTERS -

As of February 1, 1998,  The Mailing List Program will offer both
broad charter, general topic and narrow charter, special topic lists.
These lists are subdivided as follows:

General Discussion
 HWG-Basics
 HWG-Techniques

Targeted Discussion
 HWG-Business
 HWG-Critique
 HWG-Graphics
 HWG-Languages
 HWG-Multimedia
 HWG-Servers
 HWG-Software
 HWG-Standards
 HWG-Theory

General Discussion Lists

HWG-basics and HWG-techniques are general discussion lists where all
areas of website creation may be discussed.  HWG-basics is intended
for users at the beginning to intermediate knowledge/skill level and
and should be used for questions reflecting that level of knowledge
or technical difficulty.  HWG-techniques is intended for users at the
intermediate to advanced level and should be used for questions that
reflect this level of knowledge and technical difficulty.

These lists are intended for users who do not wish to subscribe to
multiple lists to be able to ask questions regarding their current
concerns.  There are only two items totally outside the charters of
these lists, i.e., site critiques and questions/problems that belong
on hwg-ops.

HWG-Basics ---

Charter:  This 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 website 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!

HWG-Techniques: (new list) --

Charter:  This list is targeted toward those of you who are of
intermediate to advanced skill level.  Its charter incorporates the
issues of both "how to do it" and "why/when to do it" as they relate
to website design and creation.

Special Topic Lists

The following special topic lists are intended for users of all skill
levels.  However, list subscribers are expected to know and adhere to
the charters of the individual lists.

HWG-Business --
Charter:  This list is used by the HTML Writers Guild to discuss
matters related to the business/financial/marketing aspects of
running an HTML shop.

HWG-Critique --
Charter:  This list is to be used by HTML Writers Guild members
to ask for and give critiques on fellow members pages.

HWG-Graphics ---
Charter:  This list is used by the HTML Writers Guild to discuss the
creation and usage of graphics on the web.  Its charter includes all
forms of graphic creation techniques, graphic display and design
issues, and hardware and software used in graphic creation.

HWG-Languages (new list) --
Charter:  This list is intended for the discussion of Java,
Javascript, VBScript, Perlscript, ActiveX, Perl, and other web
related programming and scripting languages and related issues.

HWG-Multimedia (new list) --
Charter:  This list is intended for the discussion of the
implementation of multimedia features in website design and creation.
 It's charter includes the discussion of implementation techniques, the
issue of use, and the software involved in the inclusion of audio,
video, and VRML and other related technologies.

HWG-Servers --
Charter:  This list is to be used by HTML Writers Guild to discuss
matters related to administrating and operating a World Wide Web
server, including CGI and server-side programming, HTTPD
configuration, and other server issues.

HWG-Software (replaces Webapps) --
Charter:  This list is used by the HTML Writers Guild to discuss
features of the tools we use in relation to the web.  This
is NOT a place to start program bashing, which will not be
tolerated.

HWG-Standards (new list) --
Charter:  This list is used by the HTML Writers Guild to discuss
specific issues of the HTML and XML languages, current and evolving
standards. This includes HTML tags, validation, style sheets and
frames, as well as related standards including HTTP, SGML, and URLs.
Discussions of proper usage, robust coding practices, and what the
standards mean (and don't mean) are all appropriate topics for this
list.

This list does NOT address basic HTML questions, scripting
languages (such as JavaScript, PerlScript, VBScript), or
technologies (such as Java, ActiveX, CGI, SSI,  or ASP)
which are served by other Guild lists.

HWG-Theory --
Charter:  This list is used by the HTML Writers Guild to discuss the
theories behind web development.  It's charter includes the issues of
why/why not and when website components are used.  Questions
pertaining to how things are accomplished are not appropriate.


**
- MESSAGE FROM THE TREASURER -

In order to help our staff expedite the processing of your applications,
members should be sure to remember the following guidelines. 

1.  Always include a printed copy of your application. This becomes the
basis of your membership record in our files, so it's an important piece of
paper!

2.  Please, never send cash through the mail. We accept personal checks,
money orders drawn on U.S. banks in U.S. dollars, or Visa/Mastercard. 

3.  If your business or employer is paying for your membership, please be
sure to instruct the accounting staff to enclose your application with the
payment and reference your name and email address on the voucher portion of
the check. We need to be able to match you to the payment!

4.  When faxing your application and credit card information, please be
sure to print your credit card number and expiration date in large block
numerals. Fax copies by their nature are harder to read than the originals,
so clear writing is important!

We strive to process all applications within one week. When your
application is processed, you will receive an automated message generated
by our database update. Be sure to save it for future reference!

Ann Navarro, Treasurer


**
- GOVERNING BOARD ELECTION UPDATE -

Proxies are now being registered on the HWG's election website for the
three open Governing Board positions. All plus members can register their
own proxy for up to three candidates. Proxies will be collected until
February 12 and the results will be announced at the February 19 Membership
Meeting on the HWG's IRC channel. Plus members, be sure and use this chance
to have your voice heard!

The Election website is at http://www.hwg.org/election1998/

Information about the HWG's IRC channel is available at
http://www.hwg.org/services/irc/index.html

The candidate list (as of 2/5/98) is:
Frederick J. Barnett
Tarik Dozier
Susan Duncan
Peter Knaggs
Demitrius Lopez
Jimmie McWhirt
Johnny Mo
Gerald Oskoboiny
Tanya Spain
Richard Tuttle

Any questions about the proxy gathering should be directed to the
Nominations Committee at hwg-nominations(at)hwg.org


**
- VOLUNTEER(S) WANTED -

**
Position: Grant Researcher
(Contact: treasurer(at)hwg.org)

The Guild is looking for a volunteer to fill the position of "Grant
Researcher." This individual will report to the Treasurer (currently myself). 

Job duties will include: 

Conduct research to find grant opportunities that the Guild would be
eligible for as a 501(c)3 organization from private and public sources.
Assist the Treasurer in completing the required application materials for
those grants. 
Follow up and interface with granting entities as requested by the
Treasurer/GB. 
Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: 

An ideal candidate would have experience in grant application writing in a
non-profit setting. 

Other qualifying (desired) skills:

Familiarity with the financial restrictions placed on 501(c)3 corporations. 
Knowledge of corporate accounting practices, including budgets and tax issues
Experience with written business correspondence
Experience in dealing with upper management/CEO level staff of major
corporations/foundations

Required skills: 

Ability to conduct research on and offline. 
Ability to create business correspondence in a grammatically acceptable
manner (including spelling issues). 
Be willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement covering your activities and
contacts made on behalf of the Guild. 
Be responsive to email queries from the Treasurer or GB in a timely manner
Be able to give 5-10 hours to the Guild on a weekly basis, with occasional
instances of additional time. 

Desirable, but in no way disqualifying: 

Be able to make/accept telephone calls during business hours
Be able to undertake occasional travel for interviews/presentations (with
sufficient warning and reimbursement). 

Interested parties should forward a letter of interest and a resume (text
in email please, no attachments), to treasurer(at)hwg.org


**
Position: Database Administration Support
(Contact: dbadmin(at)hwg.org)

The database administration group is seeking a volunteer to help 
members with common database related problems.  No programming 
or database experience required!  This is a support position, 
and involves responding to member inquiries for: ID lookups, 
password resets, help with resignations, e-mail address and/or URL 
changes, or answering occasional Guild related questions.  
Web-based tools will be provided to perform most of these functions.

The position will require approximately 10 hours per week, with 
alternate weeks on and off duty.  Ideally, you will be able to read 
and respond to questions several times throughout the day, to keep 
turnaround times short.  I am seeking an individual with a pleasant 
(e-mail) persona who can interact with members in a responsive and 
responsible manner.

Interested persons should contact <dbadmin(at)hwg.org> for further 
details.


**
Position: List Guides
(Contact: Recruiting Committee, lg-recruiting(at)hwg.org)

DESCRIPTION: This job entails reading the assigned mailing list,
participating as a list member, keeping an eye out for netiquette and
rule violations, and assisting on the list and in private wherever
possible. This job is worked in shifts, averaging 2 "shifts" per
week, so connection to the net 2 days per week is a must. This
position will require approximately 7-10 hours per week, and will
require undergoing a short training period. In addition to having
experience in the area of your list choice, applicants  should be
flame-resistant and have good judgment and understanding of the
netiquette guidelines. Note that a suspension from the lists in the
last 3 months disqualifies you from this position. A good history of
helpful posts to the lists is a plus.

An introduction to the program and what we do can be found at
http://www.hwg.org/lists/intro.html

Information for applying (information required by the recruiting
committee, items considered in evaluating applications, etc.) can be
found at http://www.hwg.org/lists/application.html

The following is a list of positions currently open in the List Guide Program.

General Discussion Lists
 hwg-basics - 0 open slots
 hwg-techniques - 3 open slots

Topic Specific Lists
 hwg-business - 2 open slot
 hwg-critique - 1 open slot
 hwg-graphics - 1 open slots
 hwg-languages - 1 open slots
 hwg-multimedia - 4 open slot
 hwg-servers - 2 open slots
 hwg-software - 2 open slots
 hwg-standards - 3 open slot
 hwg-theory - 4 open slot


**
Position: List Owner
(Contact:  Aaron Choate, lo-manager(at)hwg.org)

DESCRIPTION: This job entails reading the list-owner email for the assigned
mailing list, removing problem email addresses, and helping members
subscribe and remove themselves from hwg lists.  This position will require
approximately 7-10 hours per week  (actual time commitment will vary with
the number of addresses subscribed to the list and the mail load for that
list), and will include training in basic majordomo list maintenance if
necessary.  This position requires that you check your email daily and for
the more active lists will require that you can handle large amounts of
email.  Experience with filters and internet email is suggested.

The following is a list of positions currently open in the List Owner
Program. 

hwg-business
hwg-critique
hwg-graphics
hwg-servers
hwg-software
hwg-standards
hwg-techniques
hwg-theory


**
- NEWSLETTER ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES -

Why did I get this mail?

You received this newsletter because you are a member of the HTML
Writers Guild. This message came from hwg-news, the Guild's
mandatory mailing list for all members. If you need more information
about hwg-news, please see the List Charter at:

  http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-news/index.html

Terminating your Membership and your Subscription to this Mail List.

How do I unsubscribe?

If you have your Member ID and password, to resign your membership
in the Guild and to unsubscribe to hwg-news, visit:

  http://www.hwg.org/member/resign.html

Fill in the pertinent information, and submit it.

If you don't have a Member ID, or have forgotten your password, send
mail to:

  newapps(at)hwg.org

with a Subject of: Resign membership

In the body of the message, provide the following information:
 * Your email address(es)
 * Your member ID if you have one.
 * The list of discussion lists you are on.

Please remember that unsubscribing to hwg-news automatically resigns
you from the Guild. If you have problems with unsubscribing,
please contact the Database Manager <dbadmin(at)hwg.org> for help.

The HWG-News Mailing List is a "Read-Only" list -- please do not try
to reply to this message directly.

Copyright 1998, HTML Writers Guild, Inc., All Rights Reserved

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