"Flaming" Net lingo for insulting someone. Unfortunately, most flames are annoying noise set off by people who don't know better. On the other hand, there are instances when flaming someone is fair and justified. The judgment call is yours. Just be responsible... A few notes about "flaming" someone: o Unless what you have to say may be of interest to other people, send the flame via e-mail. A lot of folks have to pay for their net access and don't care to hear non-relavent ramblings for pages on end. o Make sure you clarify -- are you flaming their IDEA or the PERSON. If you are flaming the person, ask yourself if you'd say the same words if they were 3 feet in front of you. o There are a lot of ways to say the same things. Is it necessary to call someone "a rambling idiot" when you don't have to? Since alt.music.makers.dj has started, the people who read and contribute have been friendly and open. Flames are kept to a minimum and there is an atmosphere of good will. It is this sort of behavior which is what the Internet is all about. Lets try and keep it that way. Sound like a plan? Thought so.
"Spamming" (alias: cross-posting) "Spamming" a message is posting the same exact message to multiple newsgroups. Usually unrelated newsgroups. Before posting the same message to various newsgroups, make sure that what you have to say is relavent to all of them. Posting a message about the latest Garth Brooks release into the alt.rave newsgroup is essentially the same thing as putting on a large neon sign above your head that screams "moron!" Its a great way to get flamed, so be careful when doing it. As a courtesy, you may want to include which groups you posted to as part of the message. This will help people following up on the message from possible cross posting a message to unrelated newsgroups.
"Signatures" (.sig files) Signatures are little messages that automatically get appended to your messages whenever you post. Every newsreader has a different way of implementing this so ask the locals for more info on how to do it in the first place. It is common courtesy to keep signatures between four (4) to six (6) lines. Signatures which are longer are good quality flame bait. We want to hear what you have to say, not what your signature has to say. Advertising This is a really gray area. Again, use your own judgment. If you are a business, be especially careful. You can lose your internet access if you post blatant advertising since it is unsolicited. Plugs are usually okay, but keep them short. A note saying to e-mail you personally for more information is the best way to handle these sort of things. Putting your company's name and phone number in your signature is fine. Just follow the notes on signatures (see above) and you should be fine.
"Want" and "For Sale" lists Be considerate to people who have to pay
for their net access and/or may have a slow net connection. DON'T post
large lists of songs you are either selling or looking for. The best method
to provide these lists is by posting a message to e-mail you if there is
interest. Supplying a web page with all the info is equally useful. What
is a large list? Anything over 50-100 lines/items is considered reasonable.
Use your good judgment.
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life-support in CyberspaceTM