As a well-known AFW busybody, I've periodically taken it upon myself to post
courtesy reminders. There is more valuable info at
http://www.virtual-ink.com.au/afw-faq/guide.htm, as St. Helier pointed out.

First, a thought on anonymity and accountability. I run a non-profit. Our
website includes a contact form (so anyone, even without an email address) can
reach me. A useful tool, but I've learned to not give much weight to anonymous
complaints. The same applies to Usenet. Most of the people here use their real
names (even if in the industry, such as M. Pronay, Craig Winchell*, or
Robertson Chai). Some use a pseudonym, but do include a valid email address. As
to others, I personally don't feel that it's wise to put too much energy into
conversations with those who are unaccountable and unreachable. As they say,
YMMV.

A few other points (mostly derived from previous courtesy posts):
1) This is Usenet , a tool for discussion. Don't expect to post something w/o
possibility of someone refuting it.
2) Please keep in mind that many of the contributors to alt.food.wine do not
speak English as their first language.
3) Let's try to avoid personal comments. If you don't like someone, filter
their posts. The details of how to do that vary according to newsreader
software, but tutorials exist on the Web for employing filters in all the
popular newsreaders.
4) New Folks: you're here to learn, right? So if someone who has been on AFW
for years and serious about wine for 30+ corrects you, learn from it, don't get
your feelings hurt.
5) Old folks : remember you were new (to wine and AFW) at some point, too.
Correct if need be, but let's try to do so graciously.
6) Personally, I find it less than helpful to make generalizations about people
based on where they live, what they do outside wine, etc.
7) No one is superior (In My Humble Opinion) based on either the simplicity or
elegance of what they eat or drink. Isn't this group big enough for someone to
have Shiraz with BBQed chicken and another to have rack of lamb with a fine
Pauillac? Does it somehow offend you to read about a meal you wouldn't eat
yourself?
8)Newbies: we welcome your participation (this is speaking as someone who has
participated for a few years, I'm neither a true old-timer or a newbie). But as
in ANY social situation, whether on or off line, it is wisest not to attack a
respected member of a community while a newbie, it really won't win you any
points. It is a time-honored tradition that one should lurk for a while before
posting to get a feel re tone of a group.

So there. I'm sure I've offended a couple of old-timers and a couple of
newbies, but hope the rest of you can take these remarks to heart. I don't
claim to be immune to digression (remember the "collectors recork wine every 10
years/chianti cannot be drunk young/Europeans are all wine sophisticates" guy?
I got a little over-involved); all I'm asking is that we try to keep these
guidelines in mind.

* mentioning Craig Winchell made me think that I hope many folks have enjoyed
his fine wines over last few nights, and reminded me to wish you all happy
Passover or Easter, as the case may be.

Best,
Dale

Dale Williams
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