Mail Lists: Be Less Annoying Part II
In yesterday's blog, you heard my mail list annoyances tirade. I have a few more behaviors that make me crazy.
1. If you're viewing messages in digest form, the subject is something lengthy, like, "[Computing] Digest 07-13-06, 16 messages." When you reply to a message, it's essential (mandatory, really) that you change the subject to the message topic. Then remove everything from the digest message except the topic and your response.
2. Keep your signature line short, say, two or three lines. Usually your name is adequate, though some lists, such as one I'm on about camper vans, want a city and state. The point is to avoid sticking in anything non-essential.
3. Stick with the general topic of the list. If it's a computing list, only send messages about computing; ditto for a cooking list, or any other special-interest group. Most importantly -- avoid political messages and jokes.
4. It's not necessary to weigh in on every topic, especially on very busy lists. Consider limiting yourself to one or two messages a day.
Now it's your turn. What's the mail list advice you'd like everyone to see?
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When adding Carbon Copy recipients to a new email, Please do not use 'CC' unless it's competely necessary...as in - you want to have everyone see the list...make it a habit to use 'BCC'.
Same applies to replying or especially forwarding.
Otherwise everyone can see everyone else's email addy. Nice way to get addys of people you don't know, tho.
Don't send junk, send only IMPORTANT messages
When replying to a question, if the person did not state his or her knowledge of the subject try to figure out if you can the level of knowledge from the content of the message.
The person may be asking a question to a simple problem but only because they have never seen a similar issue before, not because they are a novice or they may be asking a big question that needs extra attention.
There is nothing worse than telling someone that has been using windows for years to click start, go to control panel etc---.
If in doubt in your reply ask if they would like a more or less technical answer.
Read the listserv instructions BEFORE you subscribe. And learn how to UNsubscribe without posting questions to the list.
Lurk for a while reading the list before you post.
Not sure if this boils anyone else's blood... but I can't imagine why senders need to include my email address along with everyone else's right there for the world to see, copy and send spam to. What in heaven's name is wrong with blind copying the list?