Read the instructions you get when you join. And save them so you can consult them later. They may not look important now, but they may save you a lot of trouble later.

It's generally a good idea to lurk for a while before joining in. That way you can get used to the type and style of discussion on the list, and will find it easier to make contributions. You may also find it helpful to review some of the recent list archives.

The easiest way to join in is to respond to someone else's post, rather than initiate a topic of your own.

When you do reply to some one else's post, you can choose to reply to the individual who wrote the letter, or to the list as a whole. Most people do both by using the 'reply to all' button on their e mail program.

However don't be nervous about introducing your own topic. Lots of people hold back for fear that they will do something wrong. This is most unlikely.

It is 100 times more enjoyable to join in the discussions, rather than to just lurk and read forever. Go on, try it and see! You won't regret it.

Even if you do make a mistake, this is a tolerant list which has been and will continue to be forgiving. There is no mistake you can make that I, the listowner, have never made before. Or that hundreds of list members haven't made before.

Be careful how you phrase things -- this is an international list, and what you say can easily be misunderstood. Humour or intentional irony are particularly difficult to convey in an e mail, where nonverbal cues are not available to the reader.

Never post while angry. If someone else's post makes you angry, wait till the next day to reply, or write your reply, but don't post it until you have reviewed it the next day. Often things look different the next morning.

At times, dealing with the volume of post from the list can be difficult. It is usually possible to set up your own e mail program to sort post from the list to a separate folder. That way it is easier to see non-list e mail in your inbox. Investigate the help files or manual that come with your e mail program to find out how to do this.

You don't have to read everything. I don't think there is anyone who reads everything that is posted to the list. If you are busy, just read those topics that interest you. If you are even busier, delete everything for a while. You can always start to read again when you have more time.