Here are some things you should know:
ORGANIZATION
If you have more than three people on a list, conversation topics can get pretty crazy. Try to make sure your subject line reflects your topic of conversation (or "thread.") That way we can all keep track.
ARCHIVE
I'm saving all these messages. Perhaps if [geek on] I add a symbolic link to the folder, Hank can add a link to it on the official page. [geek off]
LURKING
If this is your first e-mail mailing list, take note that there are some social conventions many follow. One great way to pick up these conventions is to "lurk" for a while, not sending out any messages, and get a feel for how things work. This will prevent you from (at best) saying "Yeah, have you heard of They Might Be Giants?" or (at worst) saying "Who the hell is Ted Helm?".
LOVE
One reason I worked hard to get a job at VAMPYcamp was that I learned what it was like to feel accepted as a person. I'm glad that we're forming a list of people who appreciate acceptance!
ADVERTISING AND CHAIN LETTERS/FORWARDS
I disapprove of chain letters. Others do not. Posting chain letters and other forwards seems dangerous to me, as anyone who's had e-mail for over three months has probably seen it before and will just be annoyed. Use your own judgement as to whether you think your forward is worth 50 people's time.
In addition, the computers that handle the bulk of internet traffic - the "backbone" - while powerful, are not limitless. The more files they have to transfer, the slower they get, making the whole internet's day a little less nice. (The first year I was on the internet, I regularly got DOUBLE the file-transfer rates I do today.) Again, use your own judgement.
Advertising on this list will not be tolerated. Anyone who advertises is subject to removal from the list and/or complaints to Internet Providers.
MY WEB PAGE
shameless! ;)
http://hampshire.edu/~enhF94/
THE VAMPY WEB PAGE
The VAMPY Homepage was created and is maintained by Hank Zimmerman, whom I adore for many reasons besides that fact. Find it at: http://vampy.gsp.state.ky.us/vampy/
Note it was Built with BBEdit on a Macintosh Centris 610.
LONG LETTERS
Long letters BORE; people SKIP PARTS. Generally NOT suggested. Savor the irony of this statement.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about the listserv, or about VAMPY camp, feel free to e-mail me, Ted Helm, at thelm@hampshire.edu.
