A Non-Complaint: Community on the Listserv

["Janet A Swenson" <jswenson@pilot.msu.edu>]

>
> I haven't received any mail for 2 days. I just wondered if there is a
> problem with my address.
>
>         Thanks,
>
>         Anna

I'm a newcomer on your listserv; I only joined a couple of months ago and for
the specific purpose of inviting others to share their peer tutor training
course syllabi.  I honestly didn't plan to stay on for long--I manage 5 lists
for the National Writing Project, 1 list for the Conference on Eng Ed's Gender
Studies Commission, and 1 list for the Write for Your Life Project.  In
addition, I'm on 2 internal lists in our Writing Center.  I just didn't think I
could keep up with the entries of yet another list.  I've changed my mind after
only two months of primarily lurking.

The level of activity on this list is only matched by the generosity of spirit.
 I daily have more entries from the WC list than from most of my other lists
combined--and although the range of topics--like this one from a personal
request to substantive discussions of issues of mutual concern such as
plagiarism--is quite large and uneven, I've speculated whether the
tolerance and patience exhibited by this list's membership for those who
exhibit a range of understandings about "listserv etiquette" has supported
the establishment of a community that invites participants at times to disagree
with one another, to ask questions which require the sharing of somewhat
sensitive information, to ask for support on personal projects (such as
mine), and to share personal anecdotal information to support
observations and arguments. I *am* a newcomer, and I'm sure others have a much
clearer understanding of this than I--that's why I am primarily just lurking
while I seek a clearer understanding of your conversational style and content.

I know it's considered "poor listserv form" to some to write a message that
extends beyond one screen, so I apologize for the length of this entry, but I
did want to take this opportunity to congratulate you all for your pioneering
and homesteading success in this new virtual land.

Janet Swenson

ps I remember having read a journal article about e-mail etiquette that dealt
with subject lines, length, use of capitalization, etc.  Does anyone recall the
title or the journal? I wonder whether it's still relevant.