Greetings,

To assist subscribers in posting messages to CLICK4HP we have drafted the
following guidelines.
We hope you will review them and send your comments to one of the
facilitators so that we can make any revisions as soon as possible.

In true internet style we asked our colleagues operating similar lists or
discussions for advice, and looked at resources to assist list owners in the
drafting of such  guidelines. Consequently the guidelines we have prepared
are the result of NOT reinventing the wheel but rather a simple and clean
use of existing resources modified to suit our needs.

For those who may have been away or who have recently joined the list, the
drafting of these principles was prompted by a series of advertisements on
Click4hp for commercial products.

Thank-you to those who took the time to send your ideas about this issue.

****************************************************************************

               Working Guidelines for Posting to Click4hp
****************************************************************************

1. Advertising Products/Services:

Posting advertisements for commercial health related products or services on
Click4hp is discouraged. List participants are welcome to mention
services/resources relevant to furthering health promotion work in the
context of a discussion underway on Click4hp and invite inquiries directly
by email. Please refrain from including pricing or ordering material. When
in doubt, please forward your posting in advance to one of the list
facilitators for review prior to posting.

2. General Suggestions for Posting to Mailing Lists on the Internet:

                       *Give Your Postings a Title*

When you write or reply to a message check the subject line to ensure it
reflects the content of the message. Edit it if necessary.

                           *Replying to Messages*

When replying to a posting, quote only the text required to put your reply
in context.
It helps to cut-and-paste quotes into new messages.
Try to edit out needless lines in replies and forwarded material.
If you have to scroll down a whole screen to get to where your response
begins you have probably quoted too much.

IMPORTANT! Check to ensure you have removed the header from the message you
are replying to. Failing to delete the TO: line in the message you are
quoting means your message will not be posted. The mailing list software
catches these headers as a precaution against mail loops.

Before you hit REPLY be sure to check the TO: line.
You may not want your private message read by the whole list.
If you do not know the e-mail address of the person you wish to reach, you
can review the list of subscribers to the list by sending an e-mail message
to the list-serv [<[log in to unmask]>], leaving the subject line *blank*,
and in the message body type in Review CLICK4HP. A list of current
non-concealed subscribers will be sent to you soon after you send that
message.

You should not repost private email to the list without permission.

          *Identify Yourself*

Please sign your messages at the end with your name and email
address. Some email software fails to capture the sender's
name from the header, making it impossible to follow up, off
the list, by email.

                       *Keeping your Messages Readable*

Keep messages short - two or three screens of information-
and 'point' to sources of further information (yourself, web pages, etc.).

Use 'white space' in your message to improve readability.
Use lists and line breaks to space out the information and improve
readability online.

          *Avoid Word-Wrap*

When using wordprocessor software, compose with a non-proportional (fixed)
10 pitch font.
Proportional fonts crowd more characters on a standard line and cause
word-wrap (full lines followed by line fragments) when posted.

When in doubt check attachments in a DOS/ASCII editor or
first email them to yourself, as a test.

                  *Minimum Standards of Respect and Personal Conduct*

Demonstrate respect for the ideas of others in your replies even if you do
not agree. Debate and discussion are welcome and encouraged. Do not send
email when angry or upset.

When attempting humour or sarcasm always clearly indicate this with the use
of an emoticon such as :-) or ;-) commonly referred to as smilies.

Use uppercase text sparingly. Many readers consider capital letters as the
equivalent of shouting online. The use of spacing or asterisks like *this*
is another way to indicate emphasis.


One final thought:
As we make the transition to online health promotion work new participants
will join and need
 opportunities to learn and become oriented in the online workspace.
CLICK4HP's online facilitators are here to provide assistance and
orientation, and to
animate discussion and debate. When in doubt you can always contact one of
us  for advice, or with suggestions.


Liz Rykert <[log in to unmask]>
Alison Stirling <[log in to unmask]>
Sam Lanfranco <[log in to unmask]>
*********************************************************************