IPCT-J Editorial Policy

Zane Berge and mauri collins, Listowners.


Readers and Subscribers to IPCT-L:

Following are some thoughts on editorial policy for IPCT-L. As many subscribers to this and other lists know, different lists serve different purposes and each has a style and character that may be different from any other group. The listowners have attempted to make more explicit the parameters of IPCT-L, especially regarding how the list will be moderated. Still, no policy statements can capture the flavor of social interaction. This is described in the introduction to another list:

"If you are new to electronic lists. . ., you should keep in mind that joining a list is like walking into a room where conversations are underway. Ordinary behavior in such a situation is to listen to the conversations in order to determine the subject matter and context, join the conversations that interest you, introduce a new topic if you find the conversations boring, or leave the room if you find the group dull or offensive." (WORDS-L)

TO UNSUBSCRIBE TO IPCT-L

Send the following one line message to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.GEORGETOWN.EDU (in the body, not the Subject: line of the email note):

SIGNOFF IPCT-L

If you have trouble with this command, please send the rejection notice that the listserver sends you to the IPCT-L moderator either BERGE@UMBC2.UMBC.EDU or mauri.collins@nau.edu

TO SET NOMail

Send the following one line message to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.GEORGETOWN.EDU (in the body, not the Subject: line of the email note):

SET IPCT-L NOMAIL

When you wish to receive mail from IPCT-L again, send the listserver above the following message:

SET IPCT-L MAIL

If you have trouble with this command, please send the rejection notice that the listserver sends you to the IPCT-L moderator, either BERGE@UMBC2.UMBC.EDU or mauri.collins@nau.edu

QUOTING FROM A MESSAGE IN A REPLY

It is appropriate and encouraged that you quote the message you are replying to, but please show restraint. Many readers delete unread a message that starts with too many lines preceded by >. It is assumed you take time in composing your reply, take the few moments necessary to include only the relevant quote from the original message to give readers the context of your response without redundancy.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Interpersonal Computing and Technology List (IPCT-L) was created February 1992 by the Center for Teaching and Technology (CTT) at the Academic Computer Center, Georgetown University. A special effort will be made to promote an international forum for pedagogical issues important to higher education involving teaching with technology, and especially with connectivity and networking.

A goal is to create a forum for the discussion of computing and other technology that can be used to promote learning. Topics may involve teaching and training; collaboration; the development of partnerships among learners, faculty or teachers, and other interested persons in the educational community; research that reflect these interests, and the fostering of collegial relationships within the context of the other goals of this list. The decade of the 1980s was characterized by the personal computer, and development of individual productivity. The focus of the IPCT-L, as we move toward the 21st century, is that interpersonal computing and technology will tie persons together throughout the world -- to share ideas and solve problems.

Interpersonal Computing and Technology: An Electronic Journal for the 21st Century began publication January 1993. For author guidelines, further information or to submit articles, please contact the Editor, Dr. Susan Barnes Note: Do not send administrative questions/comments about the IPCT-L list to Barnes. Send those questions/comments to the list moderators/owners at either BERGE@UMBC.EDU or mauri@emoderators.com

POLICIES

This is a moderated list. The moderators reserve the right to make all decisions regarding the posting of messages. Those that are judged to fall outside the mission statement of this list will be returned to the sender, with an explanation for the rejection; or with a suggestion to 'revise and resubmit' or a request for clarification. All messages not returned will be posted. No messages will be posted anonymously. Postings submitted should be in English. Messages not in English will be returned to the author.

The tone of this list is that of congenial, scholarly discussion, and courtesy is assumed. Contributors may argue facts or opinions, within the focus of the goals of the list. However, personal attacks on other contributors or institutions will not be intentionally posted. "Flames" are not welcome on IPCT-L. We intend to moderate the list, not referee. If you believe you must attack a person rather than that person's stated opinions, do so privately.

We remind our listmembers that the group numbers approximately 1050 addresses in over 40 countries and represents a wide span of both cultures and levels of expertise. Message content and language should reflect an appreciation that what is being said, as it were, is spoken from a podium in front of a very large, very diverse group of people. For instance, often humor is interpreted differently depending upon a person's cultural background or beliefs and therefore jokes will not be posted.

COPYRIGHT

Copyright of individual postings to, and archived files of, IPCT-L are retained by the original author unless specifically transferred. Copying, modification, publication or distribution of postings, or archives, of Interpersonal Computing and Technology Discussion List (IPCT-L) are not permitted except by the written permission of the original author(s) or the party to whom he/she has transferred copyright unless the author grants such permission within the original posting. In keeping with the spirit of free distribution of information over the net, individual authors are encouraged to grant such permission at the time of posting. This might be done as follows:

Copyright [NAME] 1992. Permission is hereby granted for the redistribution of this material over electronic networks so long as this item is redistributed in full and with appropriate credit given to the author. All other rights reserved.

Since it is common that IPCT-L is exploded onto local distribution lists and netnews servers, authors posting to IPCT-L automatically grant redistribution permission for such purposes.

SUBJECT HEADERS

Because of the high volume of messages sometimes generated by IPCT-L, and because not all readers chose to follow all the threads in the discussions, it is particularly important that Subject: lines accurately reflect the content of the message.

LENGTH

Please keep messages under 200 lines. Break long messages into shorter parts. Longer reports, transcripts or papers may be offered on the list to other members with specific instructions on how they are to be requested privately from the individual offering them.

Alternatively, long files can be sent to the moderators who may then archive them on the listserver and post a note to the list announcing that they have been archived and giving instructions for retrieval.

It is a useful technique to set line length to about 65 characters instead of 80 when composing posts to lists. Often messages that have been posted are forwarded to colleagues or quoted when replied to, and using a shorter line avoids many problems with wordwrap.

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

This includes questions of the type "how do I make product x perform on platform y?" Considering the incredible diversity of hardware and software configurations, these questions are best addressed to your site systems administrators.

However, we realize that there are times when such questions may be appropriate and we will consider posting them on an individual basis. Please state clearly the platform (UNIX, IBM, VAX etc) and the exact nature of the problem. You may also offer to post a summary of responses to the list.

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS; CALLS FOR PAPERS etc

Announcements and calls with themes closely related to IPCT-L issues will be considered for posting. Please keep them down to 2 or 3 screens and include instructions for obtaining further information.

RESPONDING TO MESSAGES

When you receive a message from IPCT-L, please feel free to answer other people's questions or make comments directly to the list.

By using "REPLY," your response will be submitted to the list to be read by everyone who subscribes.

If you wish to reply privately to the author of a post to IPCT-L, you will find the original poster's address as the first line in the body of the message, or included by some at the end of their messages. Send your response directly to that address.

CROSS-POSTING FROM OTHER LISTS

We may accept cross-postings from other lists when the content applies to on-going discussion on IPCT-L.

Cross-postings from other lists are accepted and posted to IPCT-L if the original author has included permission to do so, or the content is that which could reasonably be seen as wanting the widest distribution possible (e.g., FAQ, conference or job announcements).

If such permission to distribute is not included, it is the responsibility of the IPCT-L contributor of a cross-post to obtain permission from the original author to post the message to IPCT-L, and so state that permission is granted in the cross-post submission to IPCT-L.

All cross-postings must meet all other criteria for posting to IPCT-L.

CITING IPCT-L MESSAGES

All contributors to IPCT-L are asked to supply their full name in all posts to the list to facilitate possible citation. The following form is suggested when citing from IPCT-L in professional papers (assumes original author J. Doe for a message posted 9/19/92):

Doe, J. (1996). [LIST SUBJECT HEADING here]. Electronic message to Interpersonal Computing and Technology Discussion List. IPCT-L@LISTSERV.GEORGETOWN.EDU. September 19.

DISCLAIMER

Content of all posts is that of the contributing author and not necessarily that of any IPCT-L listowner, moderator or of Georgetown University.
URL: http://www.emoderators.com/moderators/ipctpol.html


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September 9, 2006