[nagdu] the new and improved list rules

[Julie J]

Hello all!

First let me welcome the new people.  It's good to have you.  We don't have many rules and they all amount to one rule-"be nice". Please feel free to post questions or comments to any of the discussions.  I love to hear new perspectives.

I made it back home very early Tuesday morning.  I have read through all the list messages and there were a lot of them.  Thanks to everyone who played nice while I was gone and to those who forgot what their Mama taught them...well, I'll get to that in a bit.

I posted responses to some of the  previous week's messages yesterday morning, but I haven't seen them come through yet.  I'm not sure if this is a problem on my end or with NFBnet.  Hopefully it will get sorted out soon.  In the meantime you can write to me privately with questions.

And now for what you have all been waiting for...the new and improved list rules!
*Be nice to others.  This is really the only rule and if everyone can do this I'll forgive all other indiscretions.
Being nice includes: 
1. using a courteous and respectful tone and language.   If in doubt don't post it.  Please feel free to disagree with any idea, concept or topic, but disagreement does not preclude manners. In short-no flaming. This list is publicly archived and may be read by minors.  
2. being respectful of others time by staying on topic.  The main topic of the list is guide dogs.  Occasionally discussions of general blindness issues or other types of service animals are acceptable.  Also there will be posts on NFB initiatives and related announcements.  NAGDU is a division of the NFB.
3. *new*  Any announcement for any sales, collection, donation or other exchange of goods or service not directly related to NFB or NAGDU MUST be approved by the moderator or if I am unavailable the NAGDU President.    guide dog related Product recommendations in which you do not receive direct financial compensation are completely acceptable and appreciated.    Likewise if there is a direct question about a product or service that you provide you are free to respond with your sales information to that specific question.     It is perfectly acceptable to have a link to your product web site in your signature line.  I realize this is a new list rule and there will be questions.  Please ask away either on or off list.  I'm happy to help.

Continued violation of the rules after being warned will result in removal from the list. 

That's all the rules.   The below are things that would be very much appreciated, but are not mandatory.
1. trim your posts.  This means to remove all that header info from a forwarded message or the 13 previous messages in the thread  that you are replying to.  It's just courtesy.  Personally I don't read forwarded messages if they start out with a mile long list of email addresses.  
2. If your posting pictures please include a description of them.  The majority of list members cannot see the pictures so a text description is very much appreciated.   
3. if you ask a question about a situation you are experiencing requesting advice,  please update us on the resolution of the problem.  It is just really nice to know how things worked out and the information might prove useful to someone else.
4. if your posting an attachment please let us know in the body of your message what the attachment contains.  

That's it.  As always I am available to answer questions.  My email address is:
julielj at windstream.net


Happy Holidays!
Julie Johnson
NAGDU list moderator