EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AIRS NETWORKER
Last Updated February 2009

-- changes since the January 2008 version
Updated moderator contact information
Updated subscriber count to 810+

This is the FAQ file for the AIRS Networker.

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The AIRS NETWORKER mailing list exists to help information and referral
providers find resources, ask questions related to their daily operations, and
exchange information about finding and using other sources of information to
enhance their operations.

This mailing list is a project of the Alliance of the Information and Referral
Systems. It originally started as a joint project of the Texas Information and
Referral Network and the Texas Assistive Technology Program who operated the I&R
Networker from May of 1997 through February, 2001.

The service is provided free of charge.

As of January 2008, there are approximately 810+ members to the Networker, from
across the United States and Canada.

This file is a compilation of the instructions, requests, and requirements for
participating on the AIRS Networker. It will be automatically posted to the
mailing list on a monthly basis.

SECTION I. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE AIRS NETWORKER

Q: How do I join the AIRS Networker?
Q: How do I send a message to the AIRS Networker?
Q: Why was my message sent to the moderator for approval?
Q: Can I receive a digest version of the list?
Q: How Do I Quit the Networker?
Q: How Do I Search the Archives?
Q: What if I have other questions not listed here?

Q: How do I join the AIRS Networker?

A: There are two ways to join the AIRS Networker.

The simplest is to use the web interface at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/airsnetworker.

There is a link called “Subscribe” located in the upper right hand corner. The
subscription wizard will ask you a couple of questions about the options that
are available to you.

Note: In order to use the web interface, you have to register with Yahoo for a
free membership. It’s not mandatory to join Yahoo Groups, just easier to use if
you do.

An alternate sign-up method is to send an email to
airsnetworker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com from the email address that you’d like
to use.

If you need assistance with signing up, contact any of the list managers listed
at the end of this document.

Q: How do I send a message to the AIRS Networker?

You can post messages to your group by email or from the Yahoo! Groups Web site:

Via Email
To send a message to other group members, create an email and address it to
airsnetworker@yahoogroups.com. This is not case sensitive.

Note: you can only post to groups you've joined, and only from email addresses
registered with Yahoo! Groups. If you misspell the name of a group, or attempt
to send an email from an account other than the one you joined under, your
message will not be delivered. If you receive a failure notice, check your email
addresses and try again.

Via the Yahoo! Groups Web site
After you've signed in to Yahoo, go to the AIRS Networker group page, click
Post, write your message, and then click Send Message.

Q: Why was my message sent to the moderator for approval?

Behind the scenes, the AIRS Networker receives anywhere from 2 to 5 spams a day,
and spammers have been known to join a list solely for the purpose of spamming
it.

For this reason, messages from new members and messages from email addresses not
subscribed to the list require moderator approval before they are sent to the
rest of the Networker.

The turnaround is typically the same or next business day. If you have sent a
message, but it hasn't appeared on the Networker in a timely manner, then please
contact a moderator.


Q: Can I receive a digest version of the list?

A: Yes, but this requires a subscription to Yahoo Groups.

Step 1: Go to the AIRS Networker home page at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/airsnetworker. You may be asked to login to the
system.

Step 2: On the right hand corner is a box called “Messages” that also contains a
link called “Delivery Options”. Click on the link for delivery options.

Step 3: The first question will ask you whether you want your messages delivered
as individual emails, a daily digest, or no emails (web-only access). Make your
selection and click on “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page.

Q: How Do I Quit the Networker?

To unsubscribe on the Web:
1. Sign in to Yahoo! Groups and go to the My Groups page.
2. Click on the Edit Message Settings link at the top of the page.
3. Look for the AIRS Networker and select Unsubscribe from the pull-down list on
the right.
4. Click Update to save your changes. The Group will no longer be listed on the
My Groups page, and you will no longer receive messages.

To unsubscribe via email:
From your email program, send a blank message to:
Airsnetworker-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Again, if you have problems with your mailing list configuration, contact any of
the list managers at the end of this document.

Q: How Do I Search the Archives?

There are three sets of archives for this mailing list, by date.

February 2001 to present
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/airsnetworker/messages/

June 1998 to February 2001
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ir-networker/messages/

Look in the upper right hand corner for a search box that says “Search
Archives”. Enter a key word or short phrase of what you are looking for and
click on the Search Archives button.

Archives are available for dates earlier than June 1998, but searching these
archives is not as easy. See
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ir-networker/1069.html for more in-depth
instructions.

Q: What if I have other questions not listed here?

The Yahoo Groups Help Center can be accessed online at
http://help.yahoo.com/help/groups.

You may also contact any of the list managers listed at the end of this
document.

SECTION II -- AIRS NETWORKER NETIQUETTE

Each mailing list evolves it’s own set of cultural guidelines on how to interact
with other members. This is referred to online as “netiquette” and will vary
from list to list.

Here are the social guidelines that we have created for the AIRS Networker.

1. When replying to a message, delete non-relevant parts. A quick poll at the
1998 AIRS conference showed that approximately 3/4th of the Networker users
print out copies of useful messages and a reply to a reply to a reply may fill
several pages, with only a small amount of original content.

2. When sending a message, include a subject and provide the following
information in your signatures at the end - name, agency, e-mail address, phone
for direct contact.

3. Replies to the list-serve go to all users. Please send individual replies
directly to sender when appropriate, such as asking for a document to be mailed
or sent to you. As a rule of thumb, ask yourself whether your message is
something the whole list would be interested in, or is your message something
only the individual recipient will care about.

4. If you are doing an informal survey, search the archives first. When you’re
done with your survey, post a summary of your results or conclusions to the
Networker. This way, we can build upon a common body of knowledge.

5. Off-topic messages are discouraged but not entirely banned. If you simply
must post something outside the scope of the list, be sure to include the tag
[OT] in the subject field of the message as a courtesy for other list members.

6. While the list is geared towards information and referral professionals, we
have and may again receive inquiries from individuals seeking direct assistance.
If this happens, the protocol is to email the person directly with any offers of
assistance, and then post a summary of your actions to the Networker so that we
know the request has been handled.

7. In the past, sending documents as attachments was prohibited, but is now
allowed. Users should be aware that attachments can be used to spread viruses,
malware, and other bad things, so check your email program security programs.
Attachments are not stored in the Yahoo Groups archives as a matter of Yahoo
policy, but can be uploaded to the relevant "Files" section.

8. These guidelines are meant to reduce frustration, not create new ones. Don't
be afraid to speak up or speak out about an issue. The AIRS Networker is and
should be a fun and breezy way to learn about the information and referral
profession across the country.

LIST MANAGER AND MODERATOR

The list manager is David Smith, who can be reached at
david_smith@... or via phone at (602) 368-8169.

The co-moderator is Augustine "Tino" Paz, Manager, 2-1-1, United Way of America.
He can be reached at tinopaz@... or via phone at (407) 673-2003.


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