Admin NT- List Archive-guidelines

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

Hi All,

I have gone to the archives for the first time as my Brier pup in box
serves as an archive of sorts too since I hardly ever delete
things.  Now I know I can clean out that box which is a good
thing... 

 However the archives are hard to follow since we all post often off
topic stuff without changing the title of the message, just using the
incoming message as a vehicle to the list.  I am going to make a few
suggestions here and Ace (when he has time) is going to give us some
further direction on how to keep things in order so when we all go to the
archives to do a search on a topic we can find what we are looking for
quickly.  Leigh is also going to set the archives up by years, which
will help.  We are growing with growth comes pain <smile>

So here are some guidelines we should all try to follow for now till Ace
and Leigh have a chance to review this and advise us accordingly. 

1.  In your address book make a listing for the Brier Pup's List
Group:  the address is brierpups@fast.cs.utah.edu  so you can
post to the list with out using an existing post as a vehicle.  This
will keep topics at hand separate if your posting off topic. 

2. When posting a new topic please give the message a title Ie: Potty
training

3.The use of NT:  NT stands for New Topic. With list communication
we often go off on tangents but at some point even though related topics
go away and should be labeled a new topic.  For instance my last
post was on biting and as you see if you read what I wrote I also covered
counter surfing in that post.  So I should have done this: 
changed the title to: Biting NT Counter surfing. 

4. The use of OT: OT stands for Off Topic.  Off topic discussion is
great not a problem, we are her to have fun as well as learn but at the
same time remember every word you write is saved to the archives and if
some one goes to search the archives for info on a topic they don't want
to go to biting and read about a fun day you had in the park with a dog
who didn't bite you. <smile>  So share the stories just add OT
in the subject line of the post if it's not informational. 

5. Re posting messages.  To keep down the volume of what goes into
the archives and across the net (reduce band with used) When you are
replying to a message when you can try to delete portions of the previous
message that do not apply.  Ie:  I make a comment on biting and
then I go off on a tangent about a dog I trained once.  You have a
question about my comment on biting, simply delete the included tangent
story and leave just the stuff on biting and send in your comment. Here
is a real example of such since I don't delete my box...
<smile>  See what Lori did here, she only commented on a part
of my original posting offering her help with diet since that was the
topic.  

Lori wrote:
>>Well said, Gina! If anyone needs any support as they take
the
plunge--we're here. It's not hard and the best thing is you know
exactly what your dog is eating!
Take care all, Lori<<

>>Gina wrote: 
I do know that dogs that are healthy don't attract flea's as much, so if
you find you are having a flea problem that is not from contact with an
infestation (an infestation of flea's will get any dog) I suggest you
look at your diet and asses overall health... In other words educate your
self on raw feeding and take the plunge. <smile><<

In closing don't worry if you don't understand the above, I realize that
many of you have had very little experience at List Group communication
and etiquette.  These are not hard fast rules (as you know I have
very few of those) <smile> ha ha ha... You will understand as the
list grows and you become more familiar with the use of list
groups.  Please do keep posting and I will try to keep and eye out
and privately help you along if you want the help.  Please post me
privately if you would like this direction/tutoring.

Gina