Q01.What is the Purpose of Texas Vets Email Distribution List ???
Q02. What aret the Accessory Features of Texas Vets eList ???
Q03. What are the Rules of this eList ???
Q04. What is eMail Netiquette ???
Q05. How to Access the Features of the eList ???
Q06. How to Get the Directory of Subscribers on the eList ???
Q07. How to Download Information the Files / Photo Sections ???
Q08. How to Upload Information to the Files / Photo Sections ???
Q09. How to Participate in Real-time Chat ???
Q10. How to Upgrade Computer Skills ???

01.What is the Purpose of Texas Vets Email Distribution List ???

            This email distribution list is a private list to discuss almost anything  relevant to Texas veterinarians concerning the profession such as  medical/surgical cases and practice problems including business issues,  regulatory stuff, occasional jokes and even personal problems.

            VIN and Vetplus which are excellent "science-only" e-lists are  recommended for those interested solely in scientific topics. Every verified licensed veterinarian or veterinary student is welcome here on this unmoderated less formal list. No attachments are permited with posts to safeguard the members from virus problems. If there are attachments that would be helpful for the group please send them via private mail to the moderator. They can be posted on the list via other means.

          Suggestions for maintaining a high signal to noise ratio :

            Please show some restraint on posting of messages that might more  appropriately be sent to one person only. Try to reply to the topics  discussed without reposting the original post so that efficiency of the list can be mantained with the message length kept to reasonable  size.

            There are ancillary features on the list available such as photos and file  archives as well as others such as a professional calendar and website with helpful links that will be developed for the use of the list  members. Suggestions and constructive criticisms should be sent via private mail to [email protected] or [email protected]
 
 

Q02.  What aret the Accessory Features of Texas Vets eList ???

          There are a number of features that accompany subscribtion to the TexasVets eMail List. There is more than just email information available. Yahoo's computer servers also provide services in areas that increase the usefulness of this email list.

           l Archive section for all email posts allowing retrieval of topics of individual interest
   l Photo section for uploading and downloading pictures of group interest
   l Files section for uploading and downloading of written articles, charts, directories
   l Real-time Chat section for group discussions with immediate dialog among members

  Explanation of all the features is available on the TexasVets Features Page. Members are encouraged to upload or download photos of case presentations as well as submit articles of interest to the Files Section where they can be available for all. The Chat feature requires co-ordination of agreed upon times for members participating in a real-time discussion.
 
 

Q03.  What are the Rules of this eList ???
 

       A few common sense 'rules' apply to our eMail List.

             nDiscuss topics & present your opinions but do not attack others personally.
                    Show some tolerance for views that do not agree with your own.

             nNever copy and print for distribution, or copy and forward any emails
                   from this list. Privacy is of paramount importance to our members.

              This is decidedly discourteous, and will not be tolerated.
              Some members value their privacy to the extent that they have indicated they
              will seek legal  retribution should this happen to their private, personal postings -
              so it is strongly discouraged. What is discussed on the list is PRIVATE!
              Do not allow others access to the computer receiving your emails from this list.

                                   Every member must contribute in order to make the list viable.

                                    Please upgrade your keyboard skills and type in your opinions or experiences
                                       so that everyone may learn from them and this will be a successful elist!

           Disclaimer:  As the listowner of this unmoderated email list, I have no control over what is  said, or acted upon, herein.  All participation on the list is completely voluntary.

As such, your acceptance of membership in Texasvets absolves me, the listowner, of any responsibility for any adverse actions or outcomes that may arise from participation on this email distribution list.

           Every attempt is made to restrict the list to only Texas veterinarians but because of the nature of the media, it is impossible to guarantee that is the case.

            Consider this when you make your posts. Also, the listowner makes no guarantee   that your posts  will remain private. Members may quote you, or copy your words and send them to others even though it is against the list rules - so COMPLETE  PRIVACY IS NOT GUARANTEEED.

Q04.  What is eMail Netiquette ???
 

              Everyone has some idea of proper etiquette in polite social situations. It is no different here; there are some "Emily Post" suggestions for polite conversation concerning email discourse. Due to the nature of the medium here online, it is not always agreed upon what effective communication consists. But there are some tried and true ideas on the subject.

              Remember that email is a bit like telephone communication. It is impossible to read the expression of the person who receives the mail. To have effective efficient communication there are a few things to keep in mind in joining the dialogs among many people posting. The idea is to make the communication efficient for both the readers and the person posting.

              Everyone gets their opinion published but it is disconcerting and destructive to have the same message posted and reposted in its entirety ad infinitum. It takes up space and many times the points being responded to or commented on are buried deep in the middle of a long post.

              Its fine to post at length to your heart's content since folks can scroll down at any time. It is less acceptable to  repost an earlier lengthy post and then respond with just a few words; it makes the list difficult to follow and uses up the time and resources better spent thinking or debating the points of the topic. The archives are available to review past posts. The technique of cutting and pasting is a way of lifting points out of a post to highlight discussion. Reposting an entire previous discussion leaves most people confused. Try to stick on topic or start a new topic. Its alot like conversation. No one would immediately repeat another's words before adding comment to the discussion. Its always possible and better to ask questions about a ongoing discussion than to just reflexly hit the reply button. If your email program automatically reposts replies there are settings available to stop that feature.

              The basic idea is the Golden Rule; we all know how that is supposed to work but like all things human it is only an approachable goal.

Q05.  How to Access the Features of the eList ???

        Many of the features of the list require a Yahoo ID for access. Some of the features may be available without one; in other words, you may or may not be able to access them from your current email address. There are alot of benefits to having a Yahoo ID; you don't have to change anything about your email delivery or worry about spam if you set up the Yahoo account properly.

            Discussion of what is available will be expanded as more list members become aware of their existence and utility. For now be aware that the Photos, Files and Archives features may not be available to you or to the majority on the list. We are working on getting everyone access so that the discussions of topics will be more beneficial.

Q06.  How to Get the Directory of Subscribers on the eList ???
 

            There will be a file on the server connected to the website. To safeguard the list members the directory will not show up as a public link. Access to the directory's web address will be given by the moderators to verified list members. With the web address members can bookmark the directory for use at any time on their computers. The only other access will be as a file in the TexasVets File Section. You will have to have a Yahoo ID to access the directory in this location.

Q07.  How to Download Information the Files / Photo Sections ???
 

            Downloading or accessing the Files or Photo Sections will require some basic knowledge and computer skills that are not really difficult. The information is located at the addresses listed and once accessed through your browser it is a question of just saving the information. Each browser may have slightly different keystrokes. Basically, under the menu selection Files there is usually a Save command and from there it is just a question of where you want to locate the downloaded information on your computer. Y'all are on your own at that point !!!!!

Q08.  How to Upload Information to the Files / Photo Sections ???
        Uploading is the process of sending information from your computer to the remote computer which stores it for access by other list members. The process is not really much more difficult than downloading which more people do normally. Its just the reverse process.

            First you have to know where your information is located on your local computer. You need to have some idea of how to reach it before you start the process; which directory or folder it is being stored in at the home base.
 
 

Q09.  How to Participate in Real-time Chat ???

            There is alot of misunderstanding about the difference between email and chat. "Chatting" is word in the English language that has variable meaning to people but to computers it has a precise definition. It is important to understand what is meant so as to advantage of the computer as a tool of communication.

             Email is analagous to regular postal mail. You send; you receive; but only over the time it takes the post office to pick up and deliver the postings.

             Chat is analagous to telephone. You pick up the handset and dial and send and receive right there and then with minimal time lag. The difference is time.

             One is real-time - Chat and the other is over-time eMail. TexasVets DOES have the capability for chat. It requires that all parties on the chat "line" have a Yahoo ID. Co-ordination is required  to have all parties to a discussion online at the exact same time unlike email where the  communicating parties can send and receive on their own schedules. If there is interest in developing this feature it will take some co-operation of the list members.
 
 

Q10.  How to Upgrade Computer Skills ???
 

             There will be a "Helpful Computer Hints" section of the TexasVets website where members   can go to get specific information to help understand basic computer terms and techniques. It will not be a tutorial on computer usage. It will simply try to address the things that members  need to take advantage of TexasVets features. There may be some links to specific topics if  the list members will suggest what areas of interest might be.