This text message will be sent to all users upon joining and then once a month
in order to keep this "rules" fresh.

Not guidelines but just general information regarding behavior in an E-Forum

Do's and Don'ts of Discussion Group Etiquette

Online discussion groups can be a great source of inspiration and information
for you, a great place to build your network of contacts -- or, it can be a
place where you are trashed (a practice called flaming) and dumped from the list
for improperly following the list's guidelines. To have the best chance of
online discussion group networking success, please follow these guidelines:

Don't send a long personal introduction or biography to the list when you first
join, unless the list guidelines suggest for you to do so.

Do use a signature (sig) file to help identify yourself and provide some insight
into who you are. Signature files are the several lines of text that your email
software attaches to the end of all your email. Sig files usually contain your
name, your affiliation, and some sort of promotional or personal message. Read
more.

Don't post your emails in ALL CAPS. Capitalization is used for emphasis in email
discussion groups, and all caps is the equivalent to shouting.

Do write and edit your emails to the group carefully, especially when you are
new to the group and trying to build a name for yourself.

Don't attempt to attach files when sending a message to the group. And don't try
any other fancy formatting (such as bolding, underlining, etc.), as many mail
readers cannot properly display this type of formatting.

Do consider emailing specific members of the list directly, rather than sending
a message meant for just a few to the entire list. (Do this practice when
sending a personal message or response, requesting specific information, etc.)

Don't jump into heated discussions (and many of the discussions are often
heated) until you are an accepted member of the group.

Do keep your messages as concise and relevant to the group as possible.

Don't be too strong or forceful in your early messages, and don't be demanding
or pushy. Let your network build gradually.

Do showcase your knowledge and insights, but don't send a commercial about
yourself or your product to the group or risk getting nasty emails or even being
removed from the group.

Don't get discouraged if one or members flames you for something you posted to
the group, but do learn from the experience. And do ignore the temptation to
flame them back.

Do be respectful and tolerant of others' ideas and opinions.

Don't be afraid to ask for help from the group.

Do be pleasant and polite -- and avoid sarcasm as much as possible (to avoid
being misunderstood).

Do build a relationship with individual members (or the entire group). And once
you've established a relationship, do begin strengthening and nurturing it.

Don't just be a user; do try to help other group members whenever possible.

Do remember that networking can happen on any discussion list, not just
career-specific or industry-specific lists. Just as your neighbor or family
friend could be a valuable member of your network, so could someone who shares
your passion for container gardening (or other personal interests and hobbies),
so do consider joining personal interest discussion groups as well.

Do consider starting your own discussion group if the need arises. If a group
gets too large or splintered, or you can't find a group for your specific
interests or field, consider starting one yourself.

Do read our Networking Do's and Don'ts for a collection of key networking rules
and tips.