Due to conversations from high up at
Benetech, we have drafted new etiquette
guides for our Freelists. Please read on
for our official guidelines for this list.
Bksvols-Discuss Freelists Etiquette
Guide
The list is to support volunteers in
the volunteer process. This means that
this list should be used to discuss
scanning and proofreading tips, thoughts,
suggestions, and questions. It also can be
used to discuss accessibility questions
and/or concerns. We suggest that other
conversations unrelated to Bookshare
volunteering be moved elsewhere.
Here is a review of some of the
practices that we use to keep list
communication efficient:
1. Please
use clear descriptions of the email in the
"Subject" line.
2. When
a question has been answered please
refrain from responding further and let
the thread die. This also applies to posts
that only state “I agree” or “me too,” as
they aren’t necessary.
3. Quoting
should be kept to the bare minimum. Do
say enough in a reply so the list
understands the subject you are referring
to. If you plan to quote or forward a
message to the list, please take the time
to strip out the header information and
unnecessary excess information in the
email itself.
4. When
messages have some general interest to the
group but the topic has drifted or shifted
slightly, please change the subject line
to more accurately reflect the new subject
or add “OT” before the original subject to
indicate that the thread is "off-topic."
The letters OT tell us two
things. First that we may safely skip
the message without leaving a fellow
volunteer stranded with a problem
and second that each member of the list
has an extra responsibility to let that
thread fade out so that it is less
difficult to find and answer on-topic
issues of immediate concern to a
volunteer's scanning and proofing. “OT”
should not be used for general chatting,
but should be used in instances in which
the list member does not know how to
categorize the post.
5. A
note to minors: please do not disclose
private information such as medical
details.
6. Be
polite. These lists are not appropriate
places to share religious or political
views, rude language, cruel or criticizing
remarks. We do not stand for any type of
harassment.
7. If
you have an opinion about how the list is
run or about a certain list member, please
contact the Volunteer Coordinator
directly.
Disclaimer: List participation
confirms agreement with, and complicity
to, list policy and rules even if said
articles have not been read. Individual
participants are solely responsible for
their own actions and postings and are at
their own risk. This includes any
information, advice, and counsel as well
as addresses, phone numbers, or any other
personal contact information. Bookshare
takes no responsibility for the comments,
opinions, and postings of its subscribers
either now, or in the future.
Bookshare, a Benetech Initiative