news 2.10.2 doc part 3
Rick Adams
rick at seismo.UUCP
Sat Sep 8 13:54:11 AEST 1984
if test ! -d doc
then
echo mkdir doc
mkdir doc
fi
echo x - doc/README
sed 's/^X//' >doc/README <<'*-*-END-of-README-*-*'
XDocumentation in this directory has already been formatted with nroff.
XWhile the sources are available, some are written with -mm and some
Xwith -ms. Since USG systems have only -mm and V7 and 4BSD has only -ms,
Xabout the only portable way to write documents is to use the -man macros.
X(No thanks!) To make the documents usable to everyone, they are distributed
Xpre-formatted. Overstriking is done with carriage return (rather than
Xbackspace) which seems to work better on some line printers.
*-*-END-of-README-*-*
echo x - doc/etiquette
sed 's/^X//' >doc/etiquette <<'*-*-END-of-etiquette-*-*'
X
X A Primer on How to Work With the USENET Community
X Chuq Von Rospach (nsc!chuqui)
X
X
X
X *** You now have access to Usenet, a big network of thousands of
X computers. Other documents or your system administrator will provide
X detailed technical documentation. This message describes the Usenet
X culture and customs which have developed over time. All new users should
X read this message to find out how Usenet works. *** *** (Old users could
X read it too to refresh their memories.) ***
X
X USENET is a large collection of computers that share data with each other.
X It is the people on these computers that make USENET worth the effort, and
X for USENET to function properly these people must be able to interact in
X productive ways. This document is intended as a guide to using the net in
X ways that will be pleasant and productive for everyone.
X
X This document is not intended to teach you how to use USENET. Instead, it
X is a guide to using it politely, effectively and efficiently.
X Communication by computer is new to almost everybody, and there are
X certain aspects that can make it a frustrating experience until you get
X used to them. This document should help you avoid the worst traps.
X
X The easiest way to learn how to use USENET is to watch how others use it.
X Start reading the news and try to figure out what people are doing and
X why. After a couple of weeks you will start understanding why certain
X things are done and what things shouldn't be done. There are documents
X available describing the technical details of how to use the software.
X These are different depending on which programs you use to access the
X news. You can get copies of these from your system administrator. If you
X do not know who that person is they can be contacted on most systems by
X mailing to account 'usenet'.
X
X
X Never Forget that the Person on the Other Side is Human
X
X Because your interaction with the network is through a computer it is easy
X to forget that there are people "out there." Situations arise where
X emotions erupt into a verbal free-for-all that can lead to hurt feelings.
X
X Please remember that people all over the world are reading your words. Do
X not attack people if you cannot persuade them with your presentation of
X the facts. Screaming, cursing, and abusing others only serves to make
X people think less of you and be less willing to help you when you need it.
X
X If you are upset at something or someone, wait until you have had a chance
X to calm down and think about it. A cup of coffee or a good night's sleep
X works wonders on your perspective. Hasty words create more problems than
X they solve. Try not to say anything to others you would not say to them
X in person in a room full of people.
X
X Be Brief
X
X Never say in ten words what you can say in fewer. Say it succinctly and
X it will have a higher impact. Remember that the longer you make your
X article, the fewer people will bother to read it.
X
X Your Postings Reflect Upon You; Be Proud of Them
X
X Most people on USENET will know you only by what you say and how well you
X say it. They may someday be your co-workers or friends. Take some time
X to make sure each posting is something that will not embarrass you later.
X Minimize your spelling errors and make sure that the article is easy to
X read and understand. Writing is an art and to do it well requires
X practice. Since much of how people judge you on the net is based on your
X writing, such time is well spent.
X
X Use Descriptive Titles
X
X The subject line of an article is there to enable a person with a limited
X amount of time to decide whether or not to read your article. Tell people
X what the article is about before they read it. A title like "Car for
X Sale" to net.auto does not help as much as "66 MG Midget for sale:
X Beaverton OR." Don't expect people to read your article to find out what
X it is about because many of them won't bother. Some sites truncate the
X length of the subject line to 40 characters so keep your subjects short
X and to the point.
X
X Think About Your Audience
X
X When you post an article think about the people you are trying to reach.
X Asking UNIX(*) questions on net.auto will not reach as many of the people
X you want to reach as if you asked them on net.unix or net.unix-wizards.
X Try to get the most appropriate audience for your message, not the widest.
X
X It is considered bad form to post to net.general, net.misc, net.net-
X people, or net.wanted and some other newsgroup. If it belongs in that
X other newsgroup, it does not belong in net.general, net.misc, net.net-
X people, or net.wanted. It is important that no unnecessary messages be
X sent to net.general. If it gets overloaded, people start unsubscribing to
X it and its usefulness is impaired.
X
X If your message is of interest to a limited geographic area (apartments,
X car sales, meetings, concerts, etc...), restrict the distribution of the
X message to your local area. Some areas have special newsgroups with
X geographical limitations, and the newer versions of the news software
X allow you to limit the distribution of material sent to net-wide
X newsgroups. Check with your system administrator to see what newsgroups
X are available and how to use them.
X
X If you want to try a test of something, do not use a net-wide newsgroup!
X Messages in net.general that say "This is a test" are likely to cause
X large numbers of caustic messages to flow into your mailbox. There are
X newsgroups that are local to your computer or area that should be used.
X Your system administrator can tell you what they are. There is a
X newsgroup called net.test, but it is there for the system administrators
X to use to test the network software and should not be used by anyone else.
X
X Be Careful with Humor and Sarcasm
X
X Without the voice inflections and body language of personal
X communications, it is easy for a remark meant to be funny to be
X misinterpreted. Subtle humor tends to get lost, so take steps to make
X sure that people realize you are trying to be funny. The net has
X developed a symbol called the smiley face. It looks like ":-)" and points
X out sections of articles with humorous intent. No matter how broad the
X humor or satire, it is safer to remind people that you are being funny.
X
X Only Post a Message Once
X
X Avoid posting messages to more than one newsgroup unless you are sure it
X is appropriate. If you do post to multiple newsgroups, do not post to
X each group separately. Instead, specify all the groups on a single copy
X of the message. This reduces network overhead and lets people who
X subscribe to more than one of those groups see the message once instead of
X having to wade through each copy.
X
X Please Rotate Messages With Questionable Content
X
X Certain newsgroups (such as net.jokes) have messages in them that may be
X offensive to some people. To make sure that these messages are not read
X unless they are explicitly requested, these messages should be encrypted.
X The standard encryption method is to rotate each letter by thirteen
X characters so that an "a" becomes an "n". This is known on the network as
X "rot13" and when you rotate a message the word "rot13" should be in the
X "Subject:" line. Most of the software used to read usenet articles have
X some way of encrypting and decrypting messages. Your system administrator
X can tell you how the software on your system works, or you can use the
X Unix command "tr [a-z][A-Z] [n-z][a-m][N-Z][A-M]".
X
X Summarize What You are Following Up
X
X When you are following up someone's article, please summarize the parts of
X the article to which you are responding. This allows readers to
X appreciate your comments rather than trying to remember what the original
X article said. It is also possible for your response to get to some sites
X before the original article.
X
X Summarization is best done by including appropriate quotes from the
X original article. Do not include the entire article since it will
X irritate the people who have already seen it. Even if you are responding
X to the entire article, summarize only the major points you are discussing.
X
X When Summarizing, Summarize!
X
X When you request information from the network, it is common courtesy to
X report your findings so that others can benefit as well. The best way of
X doing this is to take all the responses that you received and edit them
X into a single article that is posted to the places where you originally
X posted your question. Take the time to strip headers, combine duplicate
X information, and write a short summary. Try to credit the information to
X the people that sent it to you, where possible.
X
X Use Mail, Don't Post a Follow-up
X
X One of the biggest problems we have on the network is that when someone
X asks a question many people send out identical answers. When this
X happens, dozens of identical answers pour through the net. Mail your
X answer to the person and suggest that they summarize to the network. This
X way the net will only see a single copy of the answers, no matter how many
X people answer the question.
X
X If you post a question, please remind people to send you the answers by
X mail and offer to summarize them to the network.
X
X Read All Follow-ups and Don't Repeat What Has Already Been Said
X
X Before you submit a follow-up to a message, read the rest of the messages
X in the newsgroup to see whether someone has already said what you want to
X say. If someone has, don't repeat it.
X
X Be Careful About Copyrights and Licenses
X
X Once something is posted onto the network, it is effectively in the public
X domain. When posting material to the network, keep in mind that material
X that is UNIX-related may be restricted by the license you or your company
X signed with AT&T and be careful not to violate it. You should also be
X aware that posting movie reviews, song lyrics, or anything else published
X under a copyright could cause you, your company, or the net itself to be
X held liable for damages, so we highly recommend caution in using this
X material.
X
X Cite Appropriate References
X
X If you are using facts to support a cause, state where they came from.
X Don't take someone else's ideas and use them as your own. You don't want
X someone pretending that your ideas are theirs; show them the same respect.
X
X Mark or Rotate Answers and Spoilers
X
X When you post something (like a movie review that discusses a detail of
X the plot) which might spoil a surprise for other people, please mark your
X message with a warning so that they can skip the message. Another
X alternative would be to use the "rot13" protocol to encrypt the message so
X it cannot be read accidentally. When you post a message with a spoiler in
X it make sure the word "spoiler" is part of the "Subject:" line.
X
X Spelling Flames Considered Harmful
X
X Every few months a plague descends on USENET called the spelling flame.
X It starts out when someone posts an article correcting the spelling or
X grammar in some article. The immediate result seems to be for everyone on
X the net to turn into a 6th grade English teacher and pick each other's
X postings apart for a few weeks. This is not productive and tends to cause
X people who used to be friends to get angry at each other.
X
X It is important to remember that we all make mistakes, and that there are
X many users on the net who use English as a second language. If you feel
X that you must make a comment on the quality of a posting, please do so by
X mail, not on the network.
X
X Don't Overdo Signatures
X
X Signatures are nice, and many people can have a signature added to their
X postings automatically by placing it in a file called "$HOME/.signature".
X Don't overdo it. Signatures can tell the world something about you, but
X keep them short. A signature that is longer than the message itself is
X considered to be in bad taste. The main purpose of a signature is to help
X people locate you on the net, not learn your life story. Every signature
X should include your return address relative to a well known site on the
X network. Your system administrator can give this to you.
X
X
X Summary of Things to Remember
X
X
X Never forget that the person on the other side is human
X Be brief
X Your postings reflect upon you; be proud of them
X Use descriptive titles
X Think about your audience
X Be careful with humor and sarcasm
X Only post a message once
X Please rotate material with questionable content
X Summarize what you are following up
X Use mail, don't post a follow-up
X Read all follow-ups and don't repeat what has already been said
X Be careful about copyrights and licenses
X Cite appropriate references
X When summarizing, summarize
X Mark or rotate answers or spoilers
X Spelling flames considered harmful
X Don't overdo signatures
X
X
X(*)UNIX is a trademark of AT&T Bell Laboratories.
X
X
X
X
X
X
*-*-END-of-etiquette-*-*
exit
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