Geek List FAQ v1.32	
Currently maintained by Mike Ripley; 

Holly Sihler  v.1.32 [02/10/2005]
Wes Deviers  v1.31 [09/14/2003]
Stephen Gula  v1.3 [11/12/2002]
Stephen Gula  v1.2 [02/05/2002]
Originally written by Brenden Grace 

Table of Contents

    1.0 Introduction

        * 1.1 - What is the Geek List?
        * 1.2 - *Where* is the Geek List?
        * 1.3 - Who maintains the Geek List?
        * 1.4 - How do I subscribe/unsubscribe?

    2.0 Posting

        * 2.1 - What are acceptable topics?
        * 2.2 - What are Unacceptable topics?
        * 2.3 - How should email be formatted?
        * 2.4 - How should a response be formatted?

    3.0 Etiquette

        * 3.1 - What is good posting etiquette?
        * 3.2 - What about flaming?
        * 3.3 - Politics
        * 3.4 - Moderation


1.0 Introduction

    1.1 - What is the Geek List?

        The Geek List is an email list open to JMU students, staff, faculty, 
        and alumni devoted to all things geeky, especially, but not limited 
        to, Unix. It also serves as the official email list for the JMU Unix 
        Users Group. For more information about the Unix Users Group, please 
        visit its web page.

    1.2 - *Where* is the Geek List?

        The Geek List is hosted by JMU's listserv that they offer as a 
        service to faculty/organizations. We once existed on a machine named 
        ruff but network services has decided only certain computers on 
        campus will be allowed to be mail servers and we had to relocate.

    1.3 - Who maintains the Geek List?

        The Geek List is currently maintained by Mike Ripley. 

    1.4 - How do I subscribe/unsubscribe?

        Currently, you can manage every JMU list subscription at 
        listserv.jmu.edu. Narrow the "All Lists" display by searching for 
        "GEEK". If all else fails, email Mike Ripley. Please note that you 
        cannot post to the geek list from an email address that is not 
        subscribed. 


2.0 Posting

    2.1 - What are acceptable topics?

        Acceptable topics on the Geek List are anything geek. This includes, 
        Operating Systems, PDAs, Programming Licenses, Scientific 
        Breakthroughs, Programming Languages, Conferences, Computer Security, 
        Unix Users Group, etc.

        The best way to learn how Geek works is to lurk. You'll get a better 
        sense learning how the whole thing works if you watch the pros do it.

    2.2 - What are unacceptable topics?

        Unfortunately not all topics should make their way onto the Geek 
        List. If you just feel like ranting about how bad your day was see 
        the Usenet newsgroup jmu.general.misc. If you want to complain about 
        teacher X, see *.misc. If you want to tell everyone that you saw Bug 
        today, see *.misc. Generally the Geeks don't mind random topics here 
        and there but there are some things to stay away from:

           1. Posting something that was just seen on Slashdot. Unless you 
              have something unique to add
           2. Job Postings. If you want to get these out to the list, send 
              them to the current moderator, Mike Ripley, and if it's 
              something that would be beneficial to the list it'll get passed 
              on. Job posts directly to the list will get you removed.
           3. Asking broad, sweeping questions like: 'Is Linux better than 
              Windows' or 'Why won't Linux install'. If you have specific 
              questions, the list will be more than happy to help.
           4. Posts that are only relevant to a small segment of people who 
              could be emailed to those people individually.
           5. Posts not of a technical nature and not relating to official 
              UUG business.
           6. Posting about your trafficking of mp3s or warez, scanning or 
              breaking into any machine that is not yours, subverting JMU 
              policies, or anything illegal in general. There are several 
              JMU system administrators subscribed to the Geek List, and they 
              would rather not have to turn you in to the authorities or cut 
              off your network resources, which they are required to do if 
              you do something dumb like this.
           7. Could you put XXX on server ABC for me?
           8. Could you change my username on server ABC?

        DO NOT POST USER REQUESTS FOR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS OF SPECIFIC 
        SERVERS ON CAMPUS THAT MIGHT BE RUN BY GEEK LIST MEMBERS. And please 
        try to keep all hardware/software sales on the newsgroup 
        jmu.for-sale.computer . 

    2.3 - How should email be formatted?

        The format of your email should be PLAIN TEXT. It would be even 
        better if you wrote all of your emails from Ruff (or any *NIX 
        machine, I mean ... you're a geek aren't you?). This isn't because 
        the Geek List hates Windows, but rather because most of us use 
        terminals all day long ... which don't like weird email.

        DO NOT SEND ATTATCHMENTS - GIVE US AN URL

    2.4 - How should a response be formatted?

        Generally its best to follow the hard and fast rule of writing 
        beneath the passage you are responding to. It's easier for everyone 
        to follow the thread.


3.0 Etiquette

    3.1 - What is good posting etiquette?

        Usually everyone plays nice on the Geek List, but there are some 
        things to remember when getting into a debate with someone on the 
        list:

           1. You are communicating via Email. Don't expect the reader to 
              figure out what you were trying to say, spell it out for them.
           2. All of the geeks are a bunch of smartasses. If you think that 
              someone might be being sarcastic, then they probably are. If 
              you don't know, don't get pissed off, and don't confront them 
              on the list.
           3. All *heated* debates should be taken off of the list. We all 
              love a good debate, but when it goes too far it is the job of 
              the parties involved, if they wish to continue, to take it 
              elsewhere. No one wants 57 messages in their mailbox because 
              user X and Y decided to yell at each other.

    3.2 - What about flaming?

        There should be absolutely no personal comments made. The Geek List 
        is a place to share ideas and to talk about cool stuff. If you go 
        after people because of what they have said and turn a discussion 
        into a personal battle you might just be banned from the list.

    3.3 - Politics

        This list is often used to discuss various things that tend to 
        frustrate the geeks here at JMU. Some of these discussions can 
        become a little heated at times. There is absolutely no room here 
        for tattle-tales and others twisting the words in posts to the Geek 
        List for political advantage. Do NOT use the Geek List as ammunition 
        in your personal agendas.

    3.4 - Moderation Rules

        The Geek list is technically not moderated. This means that 
        self-moderation is key. Do not post messages with text of an 
        incendiary nature. If an officer of the UUG kills a message 
        thread, then you must not post any replies to that thread. Consider 
        personal email instead. If a non-officer complains to you or the 
        list, then you should probably stop posting. The officers have 
        better things to do than police this email list, so please don't 
        force the issue.