Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 09:52:01 -0500
From: mmcdaniel mmcdaniel_at_interval-miami[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]INTERVAL-INTL.COM
Subject: Re: Posts from non-professionals
I think the key to posting on any list is careful consideration.
Whether someone is a student or a professional, he or she should
consider the following when about to post:
1. Am I _reacting_ or _responding_?
2. Do I really have knowledge of this topic, or just an interest?
3. Am I insulting someone else?
4. Am I saying something of value to the list, or do I just like to
see my own posts?
Your responses to these questions should not necessarily keep you from
making your post, but rather help you shape your post so that it
benefits the list as much as possible.
I am a magazine editor with an interest in linguistics. I tend to lurk
and not post; I use the list to learn, mostly. I never post about
pronunciation or etymology because I am not knowledgeable in those
areas. I ask questions when I need answers, I respond to "have you
ever heard..." posts, and I submit opinions when I believe mine is as
valid as any other list member.
I hope ADS-L will remain open to non-ADS members such as myself. I
like Susanmarie's ideas for the list. I once belonged to a list that
was automatically open to a certain group (ophthalmologists); anyone
who was not an ophthalmologist (I do medical editing, among other
things) had to apply to the moderator. If someone posted
inappropriately, he or she could be removed by the moderator.
Hope these thoughts help.
Matthew McDaniel