[nfbwatlk] List Rules and Administrivia

[Mike Freeman]

  "NFB of Washington Talk" list guidelines and tips:

(1) As stated at

http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org

the purpose of this list is to facilitate discussion among members of 
the NFB of Washington and to present a means of disseminating 
announcements of interest to members of the  NFB of Washington. There 
will also be occasional posts concerning issues of major importance to 
the blind as well as announcements concerning activities of the National 
Federation of the Blind.

(2) As list moderator, I take a rather broad view of the range of 
topics allowed on this list. In general, however, let's all try to keep 
discussions germane to blindness and, more specifically, to the National 
Federation of the
Blind and/or the National Federation of the Blind of Washington.  There 
are other mailing lists primarily designed for discussion of other 
topics and other aspects of blindness such as problems with the GUI 
Interface, diabetes, dog guide issues, etc. etc. etc. Nevertheless, 
discussion of such matters is definitely not prohibited as long as such 
discussions  don't dominate the list.

(3) There are several exceptions to the "blindness-only" focus of this 
list. I have declared that discussions of Mexican food, the Seattle 
Mariners and the Seattle Seahawks are explicitly blindness-related! 
(huge grin)

(4) When posting messages, bear in mind that the Internet extends 
worldwide. While the focus of the list is matters of concern to the NFB 
of Washington, list messages can be read by a wider audience.

(5) The only messages which will absolutely not be tolerated are those 
containing personal attacks, VIRUSES OR WORMS, SPAM or blatantly 
anti-NFB propaganda.  To those who protest that such prohibitions limit 
their freedom of speech, I say:
(a) your Internet Service Provider never guaranteed you complete freedom 
of speech; (b) there are other, more appropriate lists for such material 
and (c) NFB resources fund this list so it is not in NFB?s interest to 
provide a forum for messages whose purposes are inimical to those of 
NFB. Questions about  NFB policies and procedures are welcome. However, 
messages designed to stir up controversy rather than  to elicit 
information -- troll messages -- are not welcome. Persisting in posting 
messages  in prohibited categories after being warned by the list 
moderator may result in temporary or permanent suspension from the list. 
Fortunately, we have had no such incidents.

(6) Messages sent to the list from addresses other than the one you used 
to subscribe to the list are held by the list software for approval by 
me. Therefore, if you want your messages to appear without delay, send 
them from the correct address.

(7) Although little of the material such as virus warnings, scam 
warnings and/or tips and feel-good posts that is passed around the 
Internet is relevant or appropriate for this list, if you *do* believe 
that some post you've received is so important that it warrants posting 
on the list, please check with <http://www.TruthOrFiction.Com>, 
<http://www.snopes.com> or similar sites to ensure that the material 
isn't a hoax, or, worse, itself a threat to computer security before 
posting.

,Now that all the "heavy stuff" is out of the way, let's enjoy our list 
and keep it the vehicle for comradeship, fellowship, discussion and 
concerted  action that it is.

Mike Freeman, List Moderator