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Hello Everyone :)
'Tis that time of year again, and I thought about all the new
computer/internet enthusiasts we will be having infiltrate the mailing
lists. A couple years back, Cyndi Howells posted a wonderful message with
some good points to consider. I am copying a portion of that post...that is
relevant to the topic, and hope that everyone will keep it in mind when
someone comes on and is obviously new, and give them a chance to get used
to things. :)
Thanks for reading!
Mari
List Admin
><snipped>
>Each January we see a huge influx of newbies joining us online
>because Santa was generous and left a sparkling new computer under
>the tree. There are also many after-holidays sales which offer
>people the opportunity to purchase a snazzy new computer or modem.
>
>Many people get online for the first time and enthusiastically don
>their cyber-bikinis, hitting the surf with gusto. They are excited
>to be here and they are (much as we "oldbies" were) rightfully
>overwhelmed by all that there is to see and do. The language here
>is foreign to them. The technology is newer, fancier and zippier
>than they may have used in the past. And the way that we all
>participate in our giant, online genealogical society, while being
>very similar to offline groups, is still a bit different than they
>may be prepared for. In other words, it is a brave new world to them.
>
>I would like to put out a call to each of you to show these newbies
>that we are a friendly, welcoming and helpful group of online
>genealogists. To do so we all need to pitch in and show patience,
>understanding and kindness. We also need to put on our teaching
>caps and be prepared to show them the ropes.
>
>1. Don't make assumptions.
>
>2. Explain things in detail, include URLs and complete
>instructions.
>
>3. Verify details and addresses before you send them to
>people.
>
>4. Offer to help people privately via e-mail, off of the
>mailing lists.
>
>5. Be prepared to explain things more than once, in more
>than one way.
>
>6. Keep in mind that we were all new at one time.
>
>7. Keep in mind that we all learn something new every day.
>
>There are several places online to which you can point newbies in
>order to help them learn about this new research venue. I have
>tried to make these easy to locate by setting up links on my site:
>
>Internet Stuff You Need To Know
>http://www.CyndisList.com/internet.htm
>
>Also be sure to point them to these basic starting places online:
>Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet
>http://www.CyndisList.com
>
>Your genealogical research portal onto the Internet
>RootsWeb
>http://www.RootsWeb.com
>
>See the RootsWeb Help Desk:
>http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com
>
>Genealogy Resources on the Internet - Mailing Lists
>http://www.rootsweb.com/~jfuller/gen_mail.html
>
>USGenWeb
>http://www.USGenWeb.org
>
>Good luck and successful surfing to everyone online - both newbies
>and oldbies,
>Cyndi
>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
>Cyndi Howells Puyallup, Washington
>cyndihow(a)oz.net