(The rules regarding content and netiquette for the CAJ main listserv also apply to all CAJ caucus listservs, except where specifically noted otherwise.)

WHO, WHAT, WHERE

The CAJ list was founded and is owned by the Canadian Association of Journalists. The CAJ and list are supported by the volunteer time and financial contributions of CAJ members and our hard-working executive director in Ottawa. The list is a largely unregulated community of professionals that works well because members are civil, helpful and interesting - as well as occasionally provocative or funny. The list, like the CAJ, is a self-help organization and it will be what members choose to make of it. Please note that the CAJ chooses to keep the list open to non- CAJ members, who are welcome as guests even as we encourage you to support Canada's only national professional journalism organization by taking out (an inexpensive!) membership.

LIST HOW, WHEN

To join: fill in the application form. To leave: using the address at which you're subbed, message majordomo and write in the body: unsubscribe CAJ-List OR, if you get the digest, unsubscribe CAJ-List-digest. This only works if you send the command from your subbed address. Anybody can unsub anytime.

To change digest/regular version: fill in the form or email a moderator.

Moderators approve all subs and changes and screen for spammers and trolls - especially from free web mail like Yahoo and Hotmail - so sometimes it takes a while.

POSTS

Please include only enough of a previous message to make your post understandable, and remove all footers. Only send posts that add value. Send mere "I agree" or "thank you" notes only to the person you're thanking - unless you have something substantial to say to the whole list. Generally, unless you're in the midst of a raging and widely interesting debate, restrict your posts to about two a day to avoid one person monopolizing the list.

If you're passing along an article, give a brief excerpt (use three paragraphs as a guideline) and then the URL or where others can find the hard copy if they are interested. Please don't send only an URL with no explanation. Please don't duplicate the entire article in the e-mail; if the full text is not available on-line, please note that and paraphrase to provide a gist of the article.

HOLIDAYS

To avoid email overload or missing the list while offline, change to the daily digest. Bonus: if you have an auto-reply the digest won't pester members with it. Addresses with auto-replies are unsubbed if moderators get complaints.

TIP - REGULAR MESSAGES AND DIGESTS

If you have two email addresses (like home and work) and you want to post to list from both, sub one to the digest and just delete the digest version when you receive it.

DELAYS

If you post and don't see it appear on the list within a couple of hours, check that you're sending from the address at which you're subbed to list. If you're using the right address and the problem continues, email a moderator.

If you don't receive posts for a couple of days, you might have been unsubbed because your ISP rejected the list, or bounced because your mailbox was overloaded. Try resubbing using the application form and if that fails, email a moderator.

STUDENTS

Welcome! Please read your "welcome note" guidelines when they are e-mailed to you, and PLEASE unsub or resub yourself when you change addresses or when you're so busy your inbox will fill up and reject messages. Those rejections gum up delivery for all other members of CAJ-L .

PROFESSORS

When asking students to sign up as a class exercise: DON'T! EVER! Instead, send your class list of names and email addresses to a moderator. We happily accommodate entire classes but we are volunteers and cannot individually screen scores of students all at once.

Some long URLs break up when posted. To ensure they're readable:

1. Copy the long URL
2. Open up a new browser window (control/command-N)
3. Go to one of the following: http://tinyurl.com/create.php, http://www.digbig.com, http://shorl.com, http://www.snipurl.com
4. Paste the long URL into the box where it says 'Enter a long URL to make tiny:'
5. Click on the button that says 'Make TinyURL!'

If you use Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher and use Windows, the resulting tinyurl will be automatically entered in your clipboard for pasting. Otherwise, you will have to copy and paste the output with older versions of IE (it's free; upgrade!) or if you use Netscape or some other browser/operating system.

If you receive an e-mail unfriendly URL, you can read it by clicking on the first part, and after you get a 'page not found' message, copy and paste the second part of the URL into the address window from the e-mail. If it doesn't, you probably put a blank space where there shouldn't be one.

VIRUSES

The list software strips attachments, so CAJ-L is highly unlikely to distribute viruses. If you have a virus warning you think everyone should read, email it to the moderators instead of posting - on list, it's like yelling fire in a theatre. Some warnings are themselves viruses, by propagating incorrect information or hoaxes. If a warning to all listers is truly needed the moderators will post it. The bottom line is that listers are expected to be pros and savvy enough to practice safe email, so this isn't the forum for virus chit-chat.

PRIVACY

WORK and SELF PROMOTION

Members have agreed that each lister gets one shot a year at what somehow came to be called "shameless self-promotion." This may be book, event or award announcements but some members have used theirs for off-topic news like birth announcements or even notices on behalf of other people. If you post one of these and it's off topic, say in the post that it's your annual shot at shameless self promotion. Regarding work, each list member gets one chance and one chance only to solicit work. If you want a second chance, you have to run it by a moderator. This is because we think the list is a useful resource for work solicitations, but in the past when people have repeatedly asked for work there have been complaints.

On caj-freelance, there is a bit more leniency for self-promotion. There the limit to personal promotion is a) once every three months for a personal freelance writing, editing, producing "biz card" kind of notice b) an initial notice and a follow-up notice for any money-making professional development event a freelancer is sponsoring or is a major participant in.

However, everyone is encouraged to post as many real journalism job openings (no non-journalism jobs please) as they like, anytime, because members have agreed it's a valuable service. If you have many of these, please compile them into one or two posts per day.

LIST WHYS

Posts are never screened by moderators before they go to list. Posters are expected to adhere to professional standards of accuracy and fair comment. CAJ-L is focused entirely on craft, and discussion about news or issues except as they relate to craft is not appropriate. Story tips, press releases, personal attacks, messages off the topic of journalism and flames are verboten. Members who persist in sending these after being warned will be unsub-bed.

GENERAL ADVICE

Try to communicate on list as effectively and intelligently as you would in a professional capacity as a journalist. Keep in mind that 600 - 800 of your colleagues, publishers, students and editors - and assorted others - are reading. The CAJ-L is open, public and all on the record. CAJ-L is, by the CAJ's desire, design and moderation, definitely not a high-traffic talky list.

Members don't respond kindly to chit chat and arguments for the sake of argument. Most members are journalists working flat out who tell us they value the list as a water cooler. We appreciate information and all kinds of debate including alternative opinions but keep in mind that journalists can be a tough crowd. If you're new, try lurking for a while to learn what's acceptable on the list.

LIST MANAGEMENT

The volunteer moderator is appointed by the CAJ board and works mostly by consensus with several deputies. We are all journalists who donate our time. Moderator calls, most of which are sent discreetly off-list, are expected to be answered in the civil fashion in which they're issued. Severe disagreements with moderator decisions may be taken up with the CAJ head office and CAJ board; please note that appeals are a right accorded only to paid-up CAJ members.

Your comments and suggestions about these rules or any list business are welcome. For help or to send us feedback our addresses are below. Please note that moderators might take a few hours to get back to you. But if you wait more than a day, try again or email the other moderators, as we might be offline on assignment - though generally we notify the list in such cases.

- Alan Bass

How to reach CAJ-L moderators:

Alan Bass abass@tru.ca
Charles Bury charbury@netrevolution.com
Jean-François Parent jfparent@total.net