Over time guidelines for posting messages have emerged that help make the mailing list easier to read. When a list gets as busy as MapInfo-L, it really helps if everyone at least consider these guidelines. There is only one real rule on MapInfo-L, and that is: Thou Shalt Not Engage in Annoying Behavior. The definition of "annoying" is pretty loose, but it includes posting long irrelevant diatribes that have nothing to do with using MapInfo or desktop mapping and GIS. However, it's OK to bring up any subject you want (even if is irrelevant), as long as it is entertaining and not annoying.

Posting a Public Message to MapInfo-L

Send any message you wish to be read by subscribers to MapInfo-L@lists.directionsmag.com.

Message Subject Fields

In a busy list it's very helpful to use the message subject field to alert people to the content of your message. Think of it as a subject title, so you want it to be pithy and interesting so people will want to read your message. A subject like 'Help' is not as good as 'Need help selecting only line objects'.

File Attachments

Attachments are not allowed on MapInfo-L. If you try to send one it will be stripped off before your message is posted. If you want to post a file, send it to the MapInfo-L file archive site.

Advertising

Advertising on a mailing list nearly always pushes somebody's hot buttons and can easily ignite a "flame war" (a battle of wits between two unarmed opponents). However advertising is not a necessarily a bad thing on MapInfo-L as long as you take care to be informative, brief and infrequent about it.

When you post an advertisment, please put the keyword 'ADV:' in the beginning of the subject header. Also the header should clearly indicate who might be interested in this ad, or what service you are offereing. Subjects like 'AD: DLG to MIF Translator Utility: $95' gets the whole message out in a nutshell.

Keep your message "short and sweet, and hard to beat". Avoid posting any ad that exceeds 20 lines. If you can't say it in that much space, it's not worth reading.

Ads posted on MapInfo-L must be relevant to MapInfo users. If it's not relevant to MapInfo or GIS interests, it doesn't belong on MapInfo-L. Ads are most effective when they reach the target audience, anyway.

How to Subscribe to MapInfo-L

To subscribe to the MapInfo-L mailing list, send an empty email to mapinfo-l-subscribe@lists.directionsmag.com. The server will send you a confirmation message, to which you can simply reply.

How to Unsubscribe from MapInfo-L

To unsubscribe to the MapInfo-L mailing list, send an empty email to mapinfo-l-unsubscribe@lists.directionsmag.com. The server will send you a confirmation message, to which you can simply reply.

How to Get Help

To get help with the list server software here, send email to mapinfo-l-help@lists.directionsmag.com. You can leave the subject and message body blank.

There are situations when the automatic mail server cannot process your request. If this happens, or you have some questions that a robot can't answer, send email to mapinfo-l-owner, and I'll try to help you out.

There's lots more that the EZMLM mail server can do for you. To learn more, visit http://ezmlm.area.com/ezman-0.32/

MapInfo-L Message Archives

Digest Files available for Download
Mailing list digests are files containing past messages in a somewhat compressed form (all the excess baggage of the original email headers has been removed). These are an excellent way of learning about a mailing list and what topics have been discussed, or to find an old message you lost. These files are updated around the first week of each month and are available from http://www.directionsmag.com/mapinfo-l/digest/.