TheGroupHome

FAQs and "Mechanical" Rules


A large group likeTheGroupHome can only function correctly when used with a modicum of etiquette and common sense. These rules keep the quality of the discussion high. Users are required to follow these rules: Messages posted in violation of these subjects the offender to being unsubscribed. Any questions about this please send comments to info@thegrouphome.org.



Commandment 1: No Unsolicited Selling:

In some cases there can be a fine line between "providing information," and "selling." Aside from tone, the major factor is probably whether anyone has requested the information, i.e., if someone asks who are, for example, "the best designers, flash animators, programmers, etc." and you represent one you believe fits, well, you’re just providing the info. If you originatea post, "introducing" us to "the finest"...whoever/whatever...in the land, or the best company in the business...that’s perceived as selling. That is not welcome and will get you unsubscribed.

Commandment 2: Never use "auto-reply"

Never, ever use an "auto reply" type tool w/TheGroupHome. The danger — and it’s happened — is that an infinite loop can be set up whereby a message is posted, the auto reply responds to the whole group which generates a message back to the sender, the auto reply responds to the whole group which generates a message back to the sender, etc. It’s bad. If you do this something really bad will happen to you.

Using the "Subject" Area

Use the message area to indicate what your post is about. It helps readers to see what’s coming when you post. Posts with subjects like "Help!" or "Question" are more likely to be overlooked than messages with subjects like "Trying to locate Matthew Diamond " or "Needed: Web Designer for Comedy Site" Also --if you’re initiatinga new discussion, the subject sets up the "thread", i.e., when anyone replies the same "subject" will appear in their reply (if they just click "reply"). The point being: the site will group posts together by the "subject line" to bring together posts on the same subject that may extend over a period of time. Easy to follow and catch up with any "discussion."

Choosing an option for receiving posts:

To set your subscription mode:
  1. Go to http://www.thegrouphome.org
  2. Click "Current Subscribers Only" (Sign in if necessary)
  3. Click "delivery options" button under "Membership"
  4. Set it to your liking: Digest, Check on Web, individual emails
Replying: Important

Just because you hit "Reply" not "Reply All" does not mean that is what is happening/will happen. Look at your composed message and you will see. The system is set for replies to go to the entire list. It cannot be overridden. If you like, you can easily–at that point-- "cut" the name of the addressee you want and "paste" it into the "to" area to do that, i.e, reply just to one person.

Return email address in your posts

Make sure your return email address appears somewhere in your post. Reason: since the system is set so clicking "Reply" to respond just to "one" essentially doesn’t work, if someone wanted to reply "just to one" it’s necessary to find his or her email address in the post. They could then cut/paste the address into the "To" space. (When you view posts on the Web Site, as opposed to in your email reader, you do have the option of replying to one or all, but not when you're viewing a post in your email inbox.)


Protocol


Be a "Good Neighbor"

Our goal is to build a "give-and-take" community composed of those who both provide and receive assistance. Participants who behave as if the newsgroups exist solely for their individual benefit are likely to receive a lukewarm reception at best. On the other hand, you can expect to make many knowledgeable and cooperative acquaintances if you treat people here as you would your friends, neighbors or co-workers: ask for assistance only after you've made a reasonable effort to solve a problem yourself, express appreciation for help received, and look for opportunities to help others. Here are a few more suggestions that, if followed, will encourage others to assist you:

Try to help yourself first

All TheGroupHome posts are fully indexed and searchable through the search engine at the site. It's a good idea to look there for an answer to your question before posting to the group. Not only does this avoid redundant posts, but also it allows you to find a solution more quickly.

Identify Yourself

We request that you identify yourself by a real name, rather than a "handle." We'd like to get to know you, and people will likely take "John Smith" more seriously than "tHe C0deinaTor."

Replying to one v. Replying to all

When replying Please consider whether you want/need to share your reply with the whole group, or whether your reply is/should be more "personal." No hard and fast rules here: the major reason we need to be thoughtful is volume of posts we see. So, for example, we don’t all need to know if someone simply "agrees" or "disagrees" with what someone posts. Makes sense, right?

When replying, add your text to the top, rather than the bottom of the quoted message to which you're replying. (That's in your email packages preferences set-up)

If someone posts a request for a phone number or equally mundane piece of info, probably best to reply to them directly, instead of to the entire group…

Replying from Digest Mode

If you use the Digest, it’s vital that you cut and paste, or create, a proper "subject" for your response. Otherwise the system will just insert "Re: [grouphomemail] Digest Number xx". In addition to the above, please edit the digest to (just) include the text you’re replying to. If you don’t, your reply will include 25 messages and it’ll be impossible to connect it to the original post you intended to reply to.

Timeliness

Remember, we’re operating on "Internet" time. If you read a request for a recommendation that is a week old, the odds are that the "asker" has already heard of the supplier you are about to mention. And if you read that someone has already made a specific recommendation … don't post the same suggestion again. That's not to say that you can’t write directly and endorse the idea, but we don't all need to read 7 people suggesting the same resource, over a two-week period.

On Factual Questions, try to be sure…

If someone posts an actual "Who did it" sort of a question, and you think you know the answer but aren't sure, why not sit back and wait instead of jumping in? With the size of this group, the odds are there is someone who really has the exact story out there, and they will post it in short order.

Full Disclosure

If you are making a creative suggestion you should identify yourself in relation to the company or artist you are recommending, especially if, for example, you have a financial interest in the company or artist.


Content


Because we are the gathering place for digital rebels, we feel that content rules should largely evolve in a democratic manner, allowing for the majority to decide on what people want to discuss. Ultimately, this is an information exchange, and we are happy to see even clearly personal posts, e.g., short-term sublet wanted or needed, etc. But nothing creepy, please.