Hope you enjoy the list!
Ngoc
1. This list is run via an automated listserv, which means that when you send
a message (or "post") to the list address,
it bounces off a reflector and is sent to everyone who is subscribed to the
list. Messages from the list are denoted with a [KB] in the subject header,
which will help you sort out list mail from other types of mail.
2. A digest version of this list is also available, so let me know if you'd
like to try that option. The only difference between the two versions is the
way in which you receive the messages. Instead of getting each post in
separate e-mails as they're sent, digest members receive 1-2 huge e-mails
(around 30-35 kb in size) per day. Each digest contains all of the messages
that have been posted that day. This is convenient for those who don't want to
get 30-40 individual messages a day. Digest members post to the list the same
way regular list members do.
3. I occasionally send out a list of all the members once in a while, but you
can get a member listing anytime by sending a message to
majordomo@listlink.berkeley.edu with ONLY
who ken-friends
who ken-friends-digest
in the body. Don't worry about the subject header, leave it blank or write
something random in it.
4. To unsubscribe from the list, send a message to
majordomo@listlink.berkeley.edu with ONLY
unsubscribe ken-friends
-OR-
unsubcribe ken-friends-digest (if you're receiving the digests)
in the body. Don't worry about the subject header.
I hate to enforce rules, but a high-traffic list such as this one requires a
few guidelines so that things run smoothly. Many people leave the list due to
the high volume, so it's important that we do our best to limit the amount of
frivolous, unnecessary mail from clogging up mailboxes. Keeping these
guidelines in mind will cut down on the number of posts:
1. Combine responses to posts into ONE message, if possible, especially if you
frequently post 4-5 times in succession a day.
2. Try to refrain from one-line posts. EXAMPLE: Posts that consist of just
"Yeah, I agree!" or a similar brief comment should perhaps be sent only to the
original poster with whom you're agreeing, not to the entire list.
*Suggestion: if you REALLY need to get those one-liners out, combine one-line
responses into one post, thereby making them a combination post and no longer
just one-liners. Get it? ;)
3. Change subject header accordingly as thread content changes. Discussion of
one topic frequently meanders into other areas, and this should be indicated
in the subject header--this helps those who are only interested in certain
topics of discussion.
4. Off-topic messages (anything unrelated to Ken) should contain an "OFT:"
warning in the header. I don't mind the occasional off-topic post, especially
when there's a lack of Ken material to discuss, but generally try to refrain
from getting carried away with OFT threads. If you're really interested in an
OFT thread, continue correspondence with the person who originally brought it
up.
5. Personal e-mails should be done off-list. This includes address requests,
etc. For example, people occasionally offer to make tapes for others--that's
fine (in fact, that's terrific! :), so they'll post a "Who wants this? Send me
your address!" message to the list. When responding to this, send your address
ONLY to the original poster, not the entire list.
6. Try to keep profanity to a minimum. I don't mind it in general, but in the
interest of not offending one of the *MANY* people on this list, we'll try to
behave according to polite societal norms. :)
7. Please restrict conversation to Ken's professional work. We know how much
he values his privacy, and to respect this his personal life (eg his
separation from Emma Thompson, relationship with Helena Bonham Carter, etc)
shouldn't be analyzed in great detail by 200+ people on a public distribution
list. :) A little 'personal' info. doesn't hurt, however ;), but please keep
all gossip to a strict minimum and use common sense to decide what is and is
not appropriate discussion material.
8. Absolutely NO forwards should be sent to the list. Also, images and other large files (15 kb+)
need to be cleared by me first before being sent to the list.
> If someone should break one of these rules, I will bring it to their
attention. If it happens again, a brief warning will be >issued. I stress
the fact that we have never had a problem with anyone in these terms; but I
must also stress that if someone >deliberately breaks these rules, time and
time again, I _will_ take the proper measures to see that they are dealt
with >accordingly to e-mail and internet etiquette. I hope I won't have
to resort to >that, and thus far, I have been lucky. Let's keep it that
way. :)
Oooh, Katie wrote that in her intro. Tough, huh? :) But that goes for me as
well, so please try as best you can to adhere to the above guidelines. They
really do help in maintaining an efficient list where everyone is kept as
happy as possible. And I don't mind the occasional slip, just as long as
things don't get out of hand. Once in a while I'll send out a gentle reminder
to the list if I sense that we're slacking off, but for the most part I'm
usually happy with the way the list is running. We've got a great bunch of
witty, smart, warm people, and thus far list life has been mostly happy and
quite smurfy. :)
So you're a newbie (new member) and you feel lost, dazed and confused...what
to do? Well, I'd suggest you read for a couple days and see how the list
works, especially if you're never been on a mailing list before. Then, if
you'd rather just lurk in the shadows and soak up information/discussion
quietly, that's great. But if you'd like to participate, by all means jump in!
Starting off with an introduction is always nice, maybe tell us a bit about
yourself, what your interests are, your favorite Ken movies, etc. :) To
minimize newbie confusion, here are some commonly-used abbreviations on the
list:
LOL - Laughing out loud
We also sometimes refer to ourselves as "smushies", Oscar voters as "crack-
smoking loons" and media Ken-bashers as "journalistic hacks". ;) Kidding,
kidding. Ahem. :)
So that's about it--many thanks for wading through this brief novel. :) And
welcome to the list, we're most glad to have you and hope you have tons o' fun
with us!
You'll get a copy of the following after joining the list.
Hi, welcome to the Ken-friends list, an e-mail discussion group dedicated to any and
all things Branagh. Created by Katie Penote in early
1996, it is intended to allow Ken fans (the coolest people in the world, of
course :) a forum to discuss his work (past, present and future), get
information and updates on news/merchandise (magazine, TV, etc spottings),
meet other fans and generally engage in amusing, interesting and random Ken
chat. Before I get to the general rules and guidelines, let me quickly
introduce myself--my name is Ngoc (which I'm gonna soon change to its phonetic
spelling--Nock :) Vu, I'm a third-year undergraduate student at the University
of California, Berkeley, and will be serving as list moderator barring any
major revolt or cyber-coup by fellow list members. :) I'm generally laid-back and
quite mellow in moderating style, as long as list guidelines (which aren't too
strict :) are adhered to as closely as possible. So, without further ado,
attached is the template for the Kenneth Branagh Mailing List which includes
features of the list, rules, tips for posting and general guidelines. I know
it's really long, and for this I apologize, but I promise it'll answer most
questions you might have and help you get acquainted with how the list runs. Please
read it and let me know of any questions/concerns you might have. I'd be happy
to field any general questions about Ken as well, and love to engage in
general Ken chat and obsessing. ;)
ngoc@uclink4.berkeley.edu
The Kenneth Branagh Compendium:
http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~ngoc/
----------------------------------------------------
Kenneth Branagh Mailing List Template
**********
Features of Automated Listserv:
***************
Posting Rules/Guidelines:
***************************
Newbie Notes
ROFL - Rolling on the floor laughing
BTW - by the way
IMO - in my opinion
KB - Ken Branagh (also referred to as "our boy", "boy-o", "our Ken", "the
Kenster", etc)
HBC - Helena Bonham Carter
H5 - Henry V
PF - Peter's Friends
BITB - Boy in the Bush
MSF - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
DA - Dead Again
GBMan - The Gingerbread Man
ToF - Theory of Flight
Shax Sis or SS - Shakespeare's Sister (now titled "Tempting Fate")
MAAN - Much Ado About Nothing