---Monthly OhioDiver mailing list FAQ---

Please note that membership to this group is currently open and email messages
are unmoderated (except for brand new members). Hopefully we can keep the group
this way in order to provide freedom to post and reduce the effort needed by
moderators. Should improper messages be posted, the messages could be changed to
a moderated format. Basic message rules apply as listed below. The rules
generally apply to all group features including messages, files, calendar,
links, photos, database, and chat.

Message Content:
The name of the group is OhioDiver, thereofore, messages should be about Diving
in Ohio, the general region, or at least of interest to Ohio area divers. This
is a non-commercial group, therefore self promoting commercial postings are to
be avoided, when they do not benefit the group as a whole (no spamming).
Commerical company name, email address, and hyperlink is allowed in a text
signature file of 4 lines or less.

Subject Lines/Threads:
Each message has a subject line. Please make the original subject explanatory
enough for a person to decide whether to read it or not, otherwise they probably
won't. Replies to messages will repeat the subject line (thread) of the original
message. If the subject starts to get off topic, please start a new thread so
that browsers can really tell what the current discussions are about.

Message Replies:
When replying to a message an email browser will normally repeat the previous
message and all previous messages before it. Sometimes it is necessary to
indicate what you are responding to, but often the whole previous message is not
necessary. Delete irrelevant text before sending. Other members also saw the
original posting and can follow the thread backwards if needed. Members reading
the Digest format will get all messages combined in a day in one email, and
repeated text can be hard to sift through.

Commerical Posting:
Please do not post commercial messages unless there is a good reason to inform
the members. Before doing so, think whether the entire group would WANT to see
the message. A periodic press release or announcement of interest to all members
will be accepted, but blatant advertising messages, spam, or commercial abuse
could result in banning the poster. Affiliate links are specifically not
allowed. Commercial business owners may list their business in the signature of
their posts subject to other guidelines.

Signature Files:
Signature files are allowed if they are text only and generally not more than
4-6 lines. Commercial email and URL are allowed in them if legitimate, at the
end of the posting, and they do not contain graphics. Affiliate links are NOT
allowed.

Attachments:
Due to potential virus problems, attachments are not allowed. Please post links
to content, or upload to the Files area or pictures to the photo section of this
group.

Moderation
This group is not generally moderated for content of messages unless something
gets out of hand. To prevent spammers, all new members will have their first
several posts moderated until it is determined you have not joined just to post
spam. Moderation could be changed if the group size or current conditions
change. Any moderation will not be for censorship of opinion, but to prevent
spam, off topic postings, and abusive behavior or language. Opinions are
welcome, personal attacks are not.

Language/attitude:
Please keep language in all messages, files, links, etc. on a "G-rated" level.
If you disagree with someone, there is not need to swear, flame, badmouth or
threaten them. Let's keep this group on a positive and upbeat level.

Banning Members:
Members can be banned from the group for failing to follow rules. This could be
abusing the rules, repeatedly posting commercial or spam content, posting
excessive off-topic messages, abusive language, or other acts deemed not
acceptable by the group. If you have a complaint about an individual, email
uwphoto-owner@egroups.com with your complaint. A member will be generally warned
before banning unless the violation is severe. The group moderator has the
ability to hold polls of members in order to take a vote on whether another
should be banned, an may do so

links:
Commercial links can be posted on the links page. Please make sure they are
relevant to the group and not off topic. The moderators/owners reserve the right
to delete off topic and inappropriate links.

Posting Deletions:
The Group owner/moderators can remove messages, links, files, photos, calendar
posts, etc. If you believe a posting is off-topic, in bad taste, etc. please
inform the list owner. Individual members can delete most entries they have made
themselves to links, calendar, and database files, but not those of others. The
list owner does have this ability.

YahooGroup rules:
In addition to these rules, all messages must comply with the rules of our host
YahooGroups.com. Click on the "Terms of Service" link at the bottom of the web
page for details.

Final Rule:
Have fun, learn, share...and on your dive trips take only pictures, leave only
bubbles.


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For more information on Ohio Diving, see the website of the Ohio Council of Skin
& Scuba Divers, Inc., a non-profit organization of clubs, individuals, and
industry companies.

www.ocssdi.org