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Mailing List Rules

This is the official rules and guidelines page for the uwphoto@uwphotographer.com discussion mailing list. Please read this list in it's entirety before posting to the list. Some of these rules and guidelines are common "netiquette", others are rules specific to this list and the Mailman software that run it. You can join or change a membership in the list here. There is also a FAQ here. (this is a work in progress - comments welcome)

General
Please note that membership to this list is currently open and email messages are unmoderated. Hopefully we can keep the list this way in order to provide freedom to post and reduce the effort needed by moderators. Should improper messages be posted, the messages could be changed to a moderated format. Basic message rules apply as listed below. This list currently only accepts plain text messages. Rich text, html, and formatted messages will be rejected. (in Outlook Express, you can choose Format>Plain Text before sending, or set is as the default either globally or for the list email address).

Message Content
The name of the group is uwphoto, therefore, messages should be about underwater photography or video, underwater photographers, equipment, techniques, or subjects of interest specifically to underwater photography. This is a non-commercial group, therefore self promoting commercial postings are to be avoided, when they do not benefit the group as a whole (no spamming). Commercial company name, email address, and hyperlink is allowed in a text signature file of 4 lines or less at the end of a post.

Subject Lines/Threads
Each message has a subject line. Please make the original subject explanatory enough for a person to decide whether to read it or not, otherwise they probably won't. Replies to messages will repeat the subject line (thread) of the original message. If the subject starts to get off topic, please start a new thread so that browsers can really tell what the current discussions are about, or change the subject line to be appropriate. Digest members will likely ALWAYS have to change the subject line to something relevant to the post.

Message Replies
When replying to a message an email browser will normally repeat the previous message and all previous messages before it. Sometimes it is necessary to indicate what you are responding to, but often the whole previous message is not necessary. Delete irrelevant text before sending. Other members also saw the original posting and can follow the thread backwards if needed. General internet netiquette is to "bottom post" your new message below the quoted material. Members reading the Digest format will get all messages combined in a day in one email, and repeated text can be hard to sift through and create very large messages. When appropriate and not in the interest of the general list membership, change the reply address to the sender only instead of the entire list, as the default will reply to the entire list.

Commercial Posting
Please do not post commercial messages unless there is a good reason to inform the members. Before doing so, think whether the entire group would WANT to see the message. A periodic press release or announcement of interest to all members will be accepted, but blatant advertising messages, spam, or commercial abuse could result in banning the poster.

Signature Files
Signature files are allowed if they are text only and generally not more than 4 lines. Commercial email and web URL's are allowed in them if legitimate, at the end of the posting, and they do not contain graphics.

Attachments
Due to potential virus problems, attachments are not allowed. Please post links to content, or upload to the Files area of this group. See the FAQ for places you may be able to upload files or photos.

Language/attitude
Please keep language in all messages, files, links, etc. on a "G-rated" level. If you disagree with someone, there is not need to swear, flame, badmouth or threaten them. Let's keep this group on a positive and upbeat professional level.

Banning Members
Members can be banned from the group for failing to follow rules. This could be abusing the rules, repeatedly posting commercial content, posting excessive off-topic messages, abusive language, or other acts deemed not acceptable by the group. If you have a complaint about an individual, email the list administrator with your complaint. A member will be generally warned before banning unless the violation is severe.

Links
Commercial links can be posted elsewhere. Postings with a only a link are not permitted. It isn't worth explaining, it isn't worth posting. Links may be included within messages when relevant and not self promoting commercial messages.

Posting Deletions
The List owner/moderators cannot easily remove archived messages. If you don't want what you said available for all eternity, don't post it. If you believe a posting is off-topic, in bad taste, etc. please inform the list owner.

Subject Matter
This list is generally for scuba divers interested in underwater nature, marine life, and reefscape photography. The list generally covers still film and digital, and all video formats. (Underwater fashion pictures, underwater nudes, and pornographic material are not acceptable subject matter for this list).

Final Rule
Have fun, learn, share...and on your dive trips take only pictures, leave only bubbles.

List members may post comments and recommendations on the list for group discussion and revision.