PLEASE READ - Online-News monthly note -- January 1998
st...@planetarynews.com
-----------> This message was posted to the ONLINE-NEWS list. <-----------
Monthly note -- Online-News mailing list -- January 1998
--------------------------------------------------------
This monthly note to Online-News subscribers is meant as an introduction to
new subscribers, a reminder for old-timers, a statement of list policies, an=
d
an update of list administrivia and news about the list and its participants=
=2E
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=
+
The Online-News list is made possible by:
* Tribune Interactive - Autofinder - http://hamptonroads.digitalcity.com/aut=
o/
+
* Nando.net - http://www.nando.net
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* Lyris - mailing list software - http://www.lyris.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=
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NEWS
----
New list software
-----------------
Online-News has switched list software -- now using Lyris instead of=20
Majordomo (the software used since this list's inception in 1994). Lyris=20
includes many advanced features which will make the list operate more=20
efficiently. (For example, it automatically handles removing bad addresses=
=20
from the list -- a task which was performed manually by me using=20
Majordomo). For the list user, Lyris provides a Web interface to your list=
=20
account, allowing you to change your personal settings easily without=20
asking the list administrator.
Important Web URL
-----------------
Please bookmark this URL:
http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news
This Web page is your interface with Online-News. From this page, log in=
with your e-mail address. (You will find the address at which you are=
subscribed to Online-News at the bottom of any message you receive from the=
list.)=20
Once logged in, you can change your list settings by clicking on the "Your=
Settings" button. The resulting page will allow you to change your e-mail=
address; create or change a password to access your account; turn off (or=
on) mail delivery when you go on vacation; and change the delivery method=
for list messages (individual messages, daily Digest, or daily Index).
This URL is appended to every message sent out by Online-News. Whenever you=
need to change anything having to do with your Online-News account, simply=
visit this Web page - http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news
Vacation feature
----------------
A nice feature of Lyris (that was lacking with Majordomo) is the ability to=
turn off list mail when you go on vacation, then turn it back on when you=
return -- without deleting your Online-News account. For details, see item=
#6 further down in this note.=20
Online-News delivery options
----------------------------
You can receive Online-News messages in 3 ways:
1) Individual messages as they are posted to the list, delivered to you=20
throughout the day.
2) A daily "Digest" message, which contains the full text of all messages=20
posted to the list in the last 24 hours.
3) A daily "Index" message, which contains a summary of all messages posted=
=20
to the list in the last 24 hours. Summaries include subject line; author;=20
and first line of the message. Index recipients can send a follow-up e-mail=
=20
message to receive the full text only of messages that look interesting.
(Note: If there are no list messages on a given day, Digest and Index=20
subscribers do not receive mail that day.)
To learn how to change your delivery method for list messages, see item #7=
=20
further down in this note.
Please create a password for your account
-----------------------------------------
It's a good idea to create a password for your Online-News account, so that=
=20
no one else can modify your list settings. Here's how to do it:
1) Go to http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news and log in with your=20
e-mail address.
2) Click the "Your Settings" button.
3) Type your password into the appropriate field.
4) Click the "Save Settings" button at the bottom of the form to save your=
=20
changes.
Other new features
------------------
I urge you to take a few minutes to read the revised list FAQ below, to=
learn about other new features available to Online-News subscribers as a=
result of the new list software.
About Lyris
-----------
To learn more about Lyris mailing list software, visit the Web page=20
http://www.lyris.com
Online-News Member Directory -- it's free -- check it out!
----------------------------------------------------------
Don't forget to place yourself in the Online-News Member Directory!=20
More than 100 of your colleagues are, with free listings including photo,=20
contact information, Web site links, resume, list of publications, an=20
optional secure e-mail link, and a link to all of your posts to=20
Online-News. If you a part of the interactive media industry, then prove=20
it by including yourself in this "Who's Who" of the online news business.=20
You will find the Online-News Member Directory at=20
http://www.social.com/cgi-bin/online-news/cgi-bin/gts/on_member_dir
On this page, you will see a link allowing you to create your own listing.=
=20
It's very easy. (No tech support questions, please. It's not difficult to=20
figure out, and I can't afford the time to help out on this free service.=20
Thanks.)
EVERYTHING YOUR EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ONLINE-NEWS
-----------------------------------------------------
1. About Online-News
--------------------
Online-News is a public list dealing primarily with the transition of
traditional news media into the online world. While we primarily focus on
print media activity in cyberspace, overall "new media" is fair game. If
this is not what you expected, now is the time to change planes!
Online-News is NOT a general journalism discussion list. Nor is it a place=
=20
to disseminate general-interest news tips to journalists.
2. How to send messages to Online-News
--------------------------------------
Send to onlin...@planetarynews.com ; this will send your message to all
list subscribers around the world.
3. When you have trouble
------------------------
=46irst, check your list account at http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news=
=20
Many problems are the result of users not receiving mail because the=20
address that the list has recorded is different from the one that the=20
list member is using. For example, if the list will not accept your=20
submissions, it probably is because the address you are attempting to=20
post from and the address the list software has recorded for you do not=20
match up. In this case, change your address in your list Settings.=20
=46or other troubles, first contact your local site administrator, who=20
should be able to help you. If that fails, then contact the list owner,=20
Steve Outing, at st...@planetarynews.com (or=20
online-n...@planetarynews.com).
4. How to unsubscribe
---------------------
If you ever want to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
ly...@planetarynews.com and type "unsubscribe online-news" in the
body of the message. (Alternatively, you can unsubscribe via the list's=20
Web interface at http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news )
5. How to subscribe
-------------------
Send a message to ly...@planetarynews.com and type "subscribe online-news"=
=20
in the body of the message. (Alternatively, you can unsubscribe via the=20
list's Web interface at http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news )
6. How to stop mail when on vacation
------------------------------------
Visit the list Web interface at http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news ,=
=20
log in with your e-mail address, and click on "Your Settings." On the=20
resulting form, look for the "Status" entry, and select "No Mail" from=20
the pop-up menu. Then click "Save Settings" at the bottom of the page.=20
When you return from vacation, repeat the procedure and change your=20
Status entry to enable mail delivery of list messages again.
7. Can I read this list in digest format?
-----------------------------------------
Yes, you can instruct the list software to send you either 1) individual=20
messages as they are posted to the list; 2) a daily Digest message,=20
containing all the messages posted to the list that day; or 3) a daily=20
Index message, which contains only the Subject line and first line of=20
text of messages posted to the list each day. (With the Index option,=20
you can send an e-mail message to the list software instructing it to=20
send you full text of messages that you would like to see.)
To set your list delivery options, go to the list Web site --=20
http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news -- and click on the "Your=20
Settings" button. Then choose the delivery option you want from the=20
"Status" field, and click "Save settings" at the bottom of the form.
8. How can I find archives of list discussion?
----------------------------------------------
The Online-News list discussion is archived. The archive Web site is=20
at http://www.social.com/cgi-bin/online-news/=20
Some people prefer to read list messages this way, rather than receive=20
messages in their mailbox.=20
(Alternatively, you can read 7 days' worth of Online-News discussions at=20
the list Web page, http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news=20
If you prefer to read the list this way, you can set your Settings to No=20
Mail (using the "Status" field in your Settings area), then read messages=20
on the Web.)
9. Can I read Online-News as a newsgroup?
-----------------------------------------
You can read Online-News in newsgroup format if you have a client=
application=20
that supports secure newsgroups. (Most modern Web browsers' newsreader=20
features support this.) Here's the address:
news://clio.lyris.net/online-news
Note: You can participate in Online-News from the newsgroup version of the=
=20
list -- but you MUST be a list member in order to post to the list. If you=
=20
want to read Online-News as a newsgroup, then change your list settings so=
=20
that you do not receive list mail. (Go to the list Web page at=20
http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news and log in with your e-mail=20
address. Then click "Your Settings" and look for the "Status" field. Change=
=20
the pop-up menu option to "No Mail," then click the "Save Changes" button=20
at the bottom of the form.)
10. Can I get a list of subscribers to the list?
------------------------------------------------
No. This feature has been disabled, as an anti-spam measure. Only the list=
=20
administrator can see the full list of Online-News subscribers.
11. DOES ONLINE-NEWS HAVE A MEMBER DIRECTORY?
-----------------------------------------
On the Online-News Web site there is a Member Directory for all members=20
of the list. Members get to post an extended entry about themselves=20
including contact information, photo, resume, and list of publications.=20
There is no charge to be included in the directory. It's a great way to=20
learn about your fellow list members. It's also a great place to look=20
when you are seeking qualified employees or consultants. The Member=20
Directory is at:
http://www.social.com/cgi-bin/online-news/cgi-bin/gts/on_member_dir
12. This is an unmoderated list
-------------------------------
Messages sent to onlin...@planetarynews.com do not go through a human
editor. The list software automatically disseminates your message to all
list subscribers throughout the world.
13. List netiquette
-------------------
Because this is an unmoderated list, you are responsible for what you post t=
o
the list. Please take care in choosing your words, keeping in mind that you
are sending your thoughts to thousands of people -- many of them colleagues
in your profession. Here are some guidelines:
* Please keep flames off the list; send them privately, if you must.
* If you are quoting someone else's words, credit them. But please be carefu=
l
to make sure you are attributing excerpts of a message to the correct
person. A frequent error is for a previous message to be attributed to
someone else who contributed to the thread earlier.
* Keep your messages short to conserve bandwidth. (They're more likely to be
read by other list subscribers if you do.)
* Don't quote an entire message, only to add a "Me too!" note on the end. Th=
e
best technique is to quote only small portions of messages you are
responding to -- just enough to make the context of your reply understood.
* Stay on the topic. This is the most important rule of netiquette for this
list. General journalism topics and messages unrelated to online publishin=
g
are not fair game. The list will be most useful to you as a resource if
everyone sticks to the agreed-upon topic.
* Use a descriptive subject line. Many people decide whether they want
to read a message based on the content of the subject line.
* If a thread changes topic mid-stream, change the subject line to fit the
new topic. (e.g., "Re: Delphi and MCI (was Re: Murdoch rumor)")
* Sign all your messages. You are more likely to get people to listen to you=
r
message if they can associate a name with the words. Many return email
addresses do not indicate who you are (e.g., 71...@compuserve.com), so
please remember to sign your name -- and, preferably, professional
affiliation -- at the end of your message.
* Be tolerant of newcomers who make mistakes. We were all new to this medium
once.
* Remember, there are real people at the other end of this mailing list.
Please be respectful in your public communications with the members of
this list.
14. Respect copyright
---------------------
Please do not distribute copyrighted information to the online-news list.
Sending the full text of a New York Times article about online newspapers,
for example, is not acceptable and is a violation of the Times' copyright. I=
t
is acceptable to send excerpts of that article to the list, under "fair use.=
"
Repeated violation of this restriction is one of the few things that will ge=
t
you banned from participating in this list.
15. Press releases
------------------
Posting press releases to the list is appropriate in certain instances, such
as to announce a new product or service that is relevant to the topic of the
list. Press releases about unrelated products will not be tolerated. Post
press releases with moderation. For example, a weekly press release about th=
e
latest content of an online news service is going too far; once a month
*might* be acceptable. (List members, rather than the list owner, are likely
to tell you if you've crossed the line!)
16. Posting policy/guidelines
------------------------------
Because Online-News is an archived discussion forum, please be
aware that your messages posted to the Online-News list will be included on
the Online-News Web site operated on the servers of Guided Tour Software.
Subscribers to Online-News agree to allow Planetary News and Guided Tour
Software to republish their posts to the list on the hypermail archive with
no expectation of financial or other compensation by Planetary News or
Guided Tour Software. Acceptance of this condition is a requirement of
participation in the Online-News list. If this is not acceptable, THEN DO
NOT POST MESSAGES TO THIS LIST.
17. Does the list accept automated commands?
--------------------------------------------
Yes. Lyris mailing list software recognizes most list commands that you=20
may be used to from other list software (such as ListServ, Majordomo,=20
etc.). For instructions on e-mail commands recognized by this list, see=20
http://www.lyris.com/help/LyrisEmailCommands.html
(Remember, most of your interaction with the list software can be=20
conducted via the list's Web site, which is at=20
http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news . There's no need to=20
issue e-mail commands unless you want to.)
18. Who makes Online-News possible?
-----------------------------------
Online-News is maintained by Steve Outing, president of Planetary News,=20
an online publishing and interactive media research and consulting firm=20
located in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Steve is also a columnist for Editor &=20
Publisher Interactive who writes Stop The Presses!, which covers the=20
interactive media business. (It can be found at=20
http://www.mediainfo.com/ephome/news/newshtm/stop/stop.htm )
The list is hosted on the servers of The Shelby Group of Oakland,=20
California, developers of Lyris mailing list software, which is used for=20
this discussion list. Information about Lyris can be found at=20
http://www.lyris.com
You may occasionally see promotional announcements about Lyris on the=20
Online-News list and Web sites.
19. Statistics for online-news
-------------------------------
Number of subscribers (includes gateways)........1,438*
* There's no way to know how many people actually read this list. Many
subscribing addresses are gateways to multiple recipients at corporate and
educational LANs. From anecdotal evidence, I'd *guess* that at least 2-3
times this number of people read online-news. (Also, 100-200 people per day
visit the list's Web archive site.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Outing Planetary News
st...@planetarynews.com Boulder, Colorado, USA
online-n...@planetarynews.com voice: 303-543-7810
online-news...@planetarynews.com fax: 303-543-1059
Author: "Digital Delivery of News" report, from E&P
http://www.mediainfo.com/store/pushreport.htm
Read my Stop The Presses! column on E&P Interactive:
------- http://www.mediainfo.com/ephome/news/newshtm/stop/stop.htm -------
-> ONLINE-NEWS uses Lyris mailing list software. http://www.lyris.com <-
-> Change your list settings: http://www.planetarynews.com/online-news <-
-> Online-News is archived: http://www.social.com/cgi-bin/online-news/ <-
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To unsubscribe, forward this msg to unsubscribe...@clio.lyris.net