Dear List Members,

It's that time again.  This is part of my job, reminding you of the
rules and pointing out recent infractions.

Most of us have been good little boys and girls but a few of us need to
think a little longer before we write.  This is not a forum for
insults.  Keep these hurtful and insulting comments to yourself or send
them privately.    This list is for the exchange of shell information
only.  Any other information or COMMENTS you wish to communicate MUST be
done privately.  This includes responses to off topic posts that
occasionally appear and critiques of others' work, especially when you
make them in such a way as to be hurtful to the author.   You may
disagree and cite your reasons for disagreement without flaming.  Thank
you for helping COA to continue to maintain  this forum.


RULE 4. NO FLAMING:

"Flaming" means "insulting or attacking via Internet." Shellers are
noted for being Deep Thinkers. Disarm  your opponents with good
arguments, not by calling them names or making snide comments.   Have
you done any work  that  is worthy of being published?  Remember,
postings to CONCH-L are  archived. Please don't embarrass yourself in
perpetuity.



Maintaining a list is time consuming, and the people who help maintain
CONCH-L are all volunteers.  Please treat them with respect.

1. NO Commercial Advertising (Very Important!!!)
2. NO Big Files or 'Attached' Files
3. NO Off-Topic Postings
4. NO Flaming


Rule No. 1: NO Advertising:

Commercial Advertising is not allowed; not even by non-profit
organizations. UGA, as a community
service, "grants the use of its facilities to organizations whose
activities contribute to its mission."
CONCH-L is considered to be an "educational resource," and therefore
falls within UGA's mission.
However, UGA and the State of Georgia have strict rules that do not
allow use of these resources for  personal gain, thus no free
advertising or commercial messages. In particular:

            a.Offering to sell or recommending your own products or
services is NOT allowed (this includes  lists of shells, book
catalogues, equipment and trips). CONCH-L is not to be used as an
inexpensive substitute for commercial advertising. However, this list
was set up to encourage discussions and therefore this rule can be bent
a little (please remember the qualifier 'a little'.)
 If you are responding to a request for information about your product
please limit your reply
 to a brief answer and address (home, email or web) where the requester
can find more
 information.   If you wish to send a large document (image, article or
catalog) please send it directly to  the person who requested the
information and not to the list.
            b.Requesting information on, or recommending products or
services or sources where they may be  obtained IS allowed. One of the
goals of this list is to help people make connections and learn   more
about Malacology and Conchology. People wishing to exchange shells and
publications   may announce that their trading lists are available, but
should not post lists to CONCH-L.
             c.Public-service announcements of new publications (books
and journals), shell clubs, and web  sites (including commercial web
sites) ARE allowed, as are posting of general information on shell shows
and conventions. Of course this includes posting about an updated
internet site or
 reprinted publication. Book reviews by non-interested individuals are
encouraged as an
 educational resource. If the announcement concerns a commercial site
please use discretion.

If you have doubt about whether your message is advertising or not, send
it to the List Manager at
[log in to unmask] who will look it over and let you know if
it's postable.


Rule 2. NO Big Files:

Please don't send image files or other documents larger than 4 text
pages to the list. DO NOT send  attached files to the list. Not everyone
has a powerful computer or a fast Internet connection. Large files  can
lock up some computers or cause loss of messages arriving behind them.
Also, some subscribers pay  directly for receiving and storing messages.

If you have a great image file or document that you think the
subscribers of CONCH-L would be interested  in, post an announcement.
That way interested subscribers will be able to contact you directly for
more  information. This is especially important if it is an image file,
as you will have to explain what they need to do to view the file.

Rule 3. NO Off-Topic Postings:

A primary rule on any list is to respect the list's published subject by
not posting off-topic messages. This  includes virus warnings, which are
usually out-of-date hoaxes. Remember, what is 'new' to you may be  old
news to everyone else. Please post off-topic messages to a more
appropriate list or news group.


I wish all list members a healthy, happy holiday season!


Linda Brunner