As a well-known AFW resident busybody, I've periodically taken it upon myself
to post courtesy reminders. Some very good info can be found at the group FAQ,
http://www.virtual-ink.com.au/afw-faq/guide.htm,

I'll take this opportunity to wish L'Shanah Tovah to those celebrating a new
year.

A few thoughts (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) If you realize someone's intent is to provoke and annoy (in other words, a
troll) , please just ignore. Every time you argue with them, or invoke their
name, you're stroking their (IMHO somewhat warped) ego.
http://www.onlinenetiquette.com/courtesy9.html
5)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.
6) 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.
7) Personally, I find it less than helpful to make generalizations about people
based on where they live, what they do outside wine, etc. People who invoke
offensive offtopic subjects on a regular basis deserve to be killfiled, period.

8) 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?
9)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.
10)Most of the people here use their real names 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.

So there. As usual, 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; and recently I responded when I didn't need to);
all I'm asking is that we try to keep these guidelines in mind.

best wishes,

Dale

Dale Williams
Drop "damnspam" to reply

Thanks for reminding us all, Dale.

If I might add one point?

Discussions sometimes veer off into grammar and spelling lessons.
There are many out there who are too intimidated to post, lest they be
embarrassed because they don't have a perfect grasp of the language.
Or perhaps they don't know where on the keyboard to find the ü for
Grüner. I say can't we all just get along and be a bit more
forgiving?

e. winemonger
(the e is for emily - i'm just rather shy)
www.winemonger.com

Thanks for reminding us all, Dale.

If I might add one point?

Discussions sometimes veer off into grammar and spelling lessons.
There are many out there who are too intimidated to post, lest they be
embarrassed because they don't have a perfect grasp of the language.
Or perhaps they don't know where on the keyboard to find the ü for
Grüner. I say can't we all just get along and be a bit more
forgiving?

e. winemonger
(the e is for emily - i'm just rather shy)
www.winemonger.com