To Conch-L Subscribers:

It has been a long time since we have had to remind list members of the
rules for Conch-L but the time has come to do so.

We realized at the outset that rules and guidelines would be necessary
for
       the peaceful and productive operation of such a list.  We were
also
       cognizant of the requirements of our generous host, the
University of
       Georgia.  Thus we formulated four rules.  They are:

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

       Rule #1 exists to satisfy UGA requirements.  UGA does not allow
commercial
       advertising, and Conch-L is not here to help individuals sell
their
       products.  We recognize that among our list subscribers are a
number of
       commercial shell business owners and valuable participants of the
list.  We
       would like to thank each of you for their understanding and
cooperation in
       following this rule.

       Rule #2 exists because of viruses, and the problems large files
can cause
       for some subscribers.  We all need to remember some subscribers
have
       limited email space and have to pay for that space.

       Rule #3 exists because each of our subscribers joined the list to
talk
       about shells.  While we may have other things in common, Conch-L
is
       specifically for the discussion of shell related topics.  Emails
on other
       topics should be either posted on another list or sent privately.

       Rule #4 is there to keeps the peace.  Always remember that this
list is
       publicly archived.  Anyone, anywhere, at any time can read what
you have
       posted to the list.  Conch-L is not here to provide a place for
individuals
       to argue.  Discuss all you want, argue in private.

       When you subscribe to Conch-L you agree to abide by the above
rules of
       conduct.  We expect each subscriber will try his/her very best to
abide by
       the rules.

       We also realized that there would occasionally be infractions of
those
       rules.  Every one of us makes mistakes.  Often the results of
these
       mistakes are embarrassing enough for the individual(s).  Thus we
let minor
       infractions go without comment.  We are aware these infractions
annoy some
       of us more than others, but to become inflexible would go against
the open
       and friendly spirit of the list.  When the severity of the
offense warrants
       it, private warnings have been sent to list subscribers.  Do not
assume
       that because nothing is posted to the list, nothing is being
done.  It is
       done privately so as not to embarrass anyone further.

      We do not wish to deprive anyone of ideas or information about
shells and collecting.  Please abide by the rules listed above.

Linda Brunner