[alt.recovery.na] Welcome - read this first!
AlanS
Newsgroups: alt.recovery.na,alt.answers,news.answers
Subject: [alt.recovery.na] Welcome - read this first!
Summary: This posting describes the newsgroup alt.recovery.na, including
where to find more information. It should be read by anyone who
wishes to post to the alt.recovery.na newsgroup.
Followup-To: alt.recovery.na
Archive-name: alt-recovery-na-welcome
Posting-Frequency: biweekly
Version: 3.0
URL: http://www.syix.com/mleahey/arna/index.htm
Hello and welcome to alt.recovery.na (arna)! (For those of you
wondering what the na stands for, it's Narcotics Anonymous.) If you've
read some of the posts you're probably wondering just what you've
stumbled into. Hopefully, this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) will
help you figure it out.
If you're new to USENET, you might also want to subscribe to
news.announce.newusers for general information on posting and netiquette.
WHAT IS ARNA?
The best answer is to explain what arna *isn't*. arna isn't a meeting,
though posts regarding recovery and issues surrounding staying clean are
discussed. arna isn't affiliated with any NA service board or committee,
and isn't bound by the traditions, contrary to what some here believe.
Just think of arna as the meeting after the meeting and you'll get the
idea. ARNA has a home page on the web it can be found at:
http://www.syix.com/mleahey/arna/index.htm
CAN ONLY MEMBERS OF NA POST HERE?
Nope. Anyone with access to USENET has the ability to subscribe and post
articles to arna. Though, for the most part, it's members of NA and
sometimes AA who post here, anyone can post and take part in the
discussions.
From time to time individuals with an ax to grind drop in to tell the
world that NA/AA is a harmful cult with a hidden agenda, and that members
are mindless zombies. They're basically ignored or ridiculed except when
they make a concerted effort to disrupt the group.
If you've had bad experiences with 12 step organizations, we think you'll
be happier over in alt.recovery.rational or alt.recovery.from-12-steps.
Both groups will welcome you with open arms and support.
Bashing NA and people for being members of NA is off topic and we ask that
you respect that. We have no wish to stifle discussion but there are
enough flamewars within this group as it is, and there are plenty of other
forums in which you may vent your anger and/or disillusionment with the
fellowship. However, if you wish to engage in a rational discussion of
weaknesses you see in the fellowship, or wish to criticize aspects you see
as not working, please feel free.
Promotion of other programs of recovery is off-topic and considered
flamebaiting. Promotion of other programs of recovery that are profit
driven is spamming. Promotion of recovery products or websites that
require payment is spamming. If you engage in these practices, steps will
be taken to make you stop.
WHAT IS ON TOPIC FOR ARNA?
Pretty much anything you feel like talking about with the exceptions
described previously. We don't want to put too many rules in since we
like the way the group is now. Keep in mind that this is a public and
un-moderated forum, if you post your opinion you are likely to get
responses. Some of them will be in agreement, but it's just as likely to
be disagreement in the form of parody, argument, and sarcasm. Try not to
take it personally, it's usually not meant that way.
PEOPLE ARE CALLING ME A TROLL. WHAT IS THAT AND WHY ARE THEY SAYING IT?
A troll is someone who posts outrageous articles in the hopes of a
response. In arna trolls usually take the form of a regular poster coming
in pretending to be new and posting outrageous articles. This has
happened so often that most regular posters tend to look on new people
with some suspicion. Again, don't take it personally, keep posting and
we'll eventually figure out that you're genuine.
WHAT IS A GUARDIAN AND WHY ARE PEOPLE CALLING ME THAT?
Check out http://www.syix.com/mleahey/GOR/sheild.htm
YOU PEOPLE ARE UNSPIRITUAL AND NEED HELP WHY DON'T YOU POST SOMETHING
POSITIVE AND LOVING?
Duh. The name of the newsgroup should have clued you in. If you don't
like what you're reading then post something you think is worth
discussing. People will either ignore you, respond positively, or respond
negatively. This is the beauty of a public, un-moderated forum. You get
out of it what you put into it.
If you absolutely can't stand what a particular poster writes you may want
to consider using a kill-file. If you don't know what a kill-file is, you
should probably subscribe to news.announce.newusers and/or contact tech
support at your I.S.P. for more information.
A newsgroup takes on the character of those who post to it. For the most
part the regular posters to arna take a fairly irreverent view of life and
the program in general and the service structure specifically. You aren't
obliged to agree but if you find yourself getting upset and taking what
you read here to heart after you logoff, you may want to think about
finding alternative forums.
ARE THERE MORE PROGRAM-ORIENTED FORUMS?
Yes. There are on-line meetings held at specific times and dates, there's
also an NA list-serve below is one list-serve. I'll be adding more
information as I find out about it.[1]
1. Narcotics Anonymous online meeting www.egna.org Send requests
to join the group here http://www.egna.org/join.cfm
You may want to check with your news.admin at your ISP as to whether or not
your server carries USENET2, specifically, net.support.addiction.misc.
USENET2 is a somewhat moderated version of USENET classic (what you're
reading right now) where spam, flames, and off-topic posts are kept to a
minimum.
You should also read the net.support FAQ to get familiar with what is and
isn't acceptable to post.
WHAT DO ES&H, ISP, BTW, AND LOL MEAN?
These are USENET shorthand for:
ES&H - Experience Strength and Hope
ISP - Internet Service Provider
BTW - By The Way
BT - Basic Text
LOL - Laughing Out Loud
ROTFLMAO - Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Ass Off
BB - Baby Blue or Big Book
IRC - Internet Relay Chat
WSO - World Service Office
WSC - World Service Conference
NAWS - Narcotics Anonymous World Services
ASC - Area Service Committee
RSC - Regional Service Committee
IIRC - If I Recall Correctly
AFAIK - As Far As I Know
ARF - alt.recovery.from-12-steps
ARFERS - denizens of alt.recovery.from-12-steps
YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary
.02 - two cents
[1] I don't have any more information other than that, use your favorite
search engine and I'm sure you'll find them eventually.