Hazell:
I run a number of discussion groups on a variety of topics and have never seen such dissension. Over time, I developed five very simple rules and I post them to each group upon a member joining the group, and on a monthly basis. These are the rules.
There are five basic rules under which this list operates, listed in order of importance:
1) KEEP IT LEGAL. We will not permit our members to send, knowingly receive, upload, download or use any material which is offensive, abusive, indecent, defamatory, obscene or menacing, or in breach of copyright, confidence, privacy or any other rights, or to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety among other members.
2) KEEP IT PRIVATE. All messages on this group are private and confidential and may be legally privileged. All messages posted to this group become the property of the group. You must obtain permission to forward in part or in whole, any message, data contained within, MX and other header information. Please note this is a legally enforceable contract.
3) KEEP IT NICE. We will take the good with the bad. Discussion needs to be kept respectful and civil in order to keep this a place where constructive information can be shared.
4) KEEP IT CLEAN. Foul language insults the author's own intelligence more than it insults anybody else. Again, disagreement is fine, as long as it remains respectful of the rest of the membership.
5) KEEP IT ON TOPIC. It is very tempting to discuss international political developments, the United Nations, gun control, and local issues here. Resist the temptation and find a more appropriate place to post such topics.
To keep the list easy to read and threads easy to follow:
a) SNIP EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL when replying: if you are replying to a single point in a multi-point post, please snip all but the issue you are addressing.
b) CHANGE THE SUBJECT LINE in your reply if you change the topic of a thread.
c) DO NOT POST IN ALL-CAPITALS. IT IS HARDER TO READ AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE POOR "NETIQUETTE" (CONSIDERED TO BE "SHOUTING"). (Sorry about that, but it illustrates the point, yes?)
d) Thanks for keeping this List a friendly, comfortable forum for all of us.
If you have any questions, about Internet posting and etiquette, please read
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/