Hi everyone,
There's been some discussion recently on the need for a FAQ and posting
guidelines for the MySQL list. I got to thinking about that... :>
I belong to another list, called the SunMangers list. (I'm sure there's other
SunMangers members here. Hi! :> ) The SunManagers list is a wonderful
resource for getting timely help for those times when you're stuck and just
can't get something to work correctly. Some of the top people in the Sun
world are on that list, and they can be very generous with their time to help
others.
That list has been in existence for a *long* time, and is so successful because
the members have developed some rules to make it work well.
I asked the SunManagers Information Files maintainer, John DiMarco
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, if I could create a set of guidelines for the MySQL
list based on those that are posted regularly to the SunManagers list, and he
graciously gave his permission.
I'm also volunteering to maintain this document, and to post it periodically
to the list.
So, here's the proposed Guidelines. Take a look. Thoughts and constructive
comments are welcome and encouraged. Flames go to /dev/null :>
Thanks everybody!
-------------- Guidelines for Posting to the MySQL list -----------------
NOTE: This message is posted periodically to the MySQL List on behalf
of all members of the MySQL mailing list. Please read it
carefully before posting. This document can be retrieved from:
[proposed: ftp.workmate.ca]
Dear prospective MySQL List poster,
We ask your kind co-operation in making the MySQL list a more valuable,
effective resource for all of us in our community who use it.
Before posting, please stop for a minute and consider whether or not your
posting is suitable for the MySQL List. The list is not intended for just
any possible question related to database software and development. The only
appropriate questions for the MySQL List are questions about the use of the
MySQL database software products that are NOT answered in the manuals or
system documentation, in the mail archives, or in the MySQL FAQ.
These are the rules for posting to the MySQL list:
- Remember that busy people are giving their time to help you. Respect that.
If you want help from the best, don't waste their time. You are expected
to have done your basic homework -- the list is not a place to go because
you 'don't have time' to read the manual. The list is there for when
you've tried your best, made a real effort, and are genuinely stuck.
- You have to repay the favour.
You are required to post a single SUMMARY of the email responses to your
question. The SUMMARY contains the original question, explains the
solution that solved the problem, and names and thanks the folks who
helped you. This solution will then be in the archives, available to
everyone. This increases our community's store of knowledge, and helps to
prevent the same questions from being posted to the list every other day.
- Don't post off-topic questions. Eg. PHP questions not directly related to
MySQL go to the PHP list.
- Replies are directed to the POSTER and not to the list. This keeps traffic
and clutter down.
- Those who don't post a SUMMARY are likely to find future questions
going unanswered.
In particular, the following kinds of postings are NOT appropriate:
- Subscribe and unsubscribe messages.
See your email headers for subscribe and unsubscribe instructions.
- Test messages of any sort.
- Extended discussions about anything, including discussions about the list
itself, or numerous followups to any posting.
- Postings not related to MySQL software or its use.
Use the appropriate newsgroup or mailing list instead. For example, if
your question concerns "sendmail," please consult the comp.mail.sendmail
newsgroup or the www.sendmail.org website.
- General OS, network, or software questions.
Use the appropriate newsgroup, eg. comp.unix.questions instead.
- Postings that are not time-critical.
Postings claiming to be 'URGENT!' when they are not are particularly
inappropriate. They are also dishonest and disrespectful of the other
list members.
- Questions already answered in the Archives or FAQ.
Read the Archives or FAQ instead. If you're not sure if the question is
in there, please look before asking. You can find the archives at
http://lists.mysql.com/ and the FAQ at: [future-location-of-FAQ]
- Questions that are answered in the excellent manuals or system
documentation.
Read the manuals instead. If you're not sure if the question is answered
in the manuals, please check first!
- Job postings, requests for jobs, sales pitches, etc.
Get permission from the MySQL staff first, or use the appropriate
newsgroup instead.
- Please, no postings in HTML, rich-text-format, Microsoft Word, Word
Perfect, or any format that some people on the list would not be able to
read easily. Also, the business language of MySQL is English, so please
post in English. You're also much less likely to get a response to your
question in other languages.
Please note that we are not saying these postings are necessarily "bad" or
"stupid". They are not. They are merely inappropriate for this list. There
are many other lists and newsgroups for which the question may be completely
appropriate, and we encourage you to submit the posting there.
Note also that there's a good chance your question has been answered in the
past. Please spend a minute or two checking one of the MySQL List archives,
eg. the one at the MySQL site (http://lists.mysql.com/).
Here's an example of an appropriate question:
I have a SuperServer X99 running BigLinux 9.8.7 with the fizbozz patch and
the jumbo kernel patch version 158. I'm using MySQL v.52.4.1 After I
installed the MySQL-WonderTable plug-in version 343.2, the machine locks up
every couple of hours. When it locks up, the following message appears on
the console:
zz0: out of futzbufs. WonderTable space is full.
This isn't covered in the manual, and I need to get this database back
online as soon as possible.
Has anyone encountered this? Please send email and I will summarize to the
list.
When you submit a question, please indicate all relevant information,
including machine type, OS, MySQL version and patches, the table structure,
and the query, if appropriate. Collect email replies, and then summarize
them to the list. If your question was posted with a subject of "foobar",
for example, then please post your summary with a subject of "SUMMARY:
foobar".
Why are we asking that only certain types of postings be submitted to the
list? Very simply, the reason is this:
we want the list to have a very short turnaround time, and the only
reasonable way to do this is to keep it unmoderated. But this means that
every message sent to the list ends up in the mailboxes of all the list
members. To keep all the members of the list from being deluged by
inappropriate messages, we need everyone's co-operation in ensuring that
only appropriate messages are sent to the list.
Please remember, the person reading your message may be your boss, your
future boss, your customer, your seminar instructor, your colleague, or
someone else that you work with today or may find yourself working with
tomorrow. We do not want you to embarrass yourself by sending an
inappropriate or poorly thought-out posting.
Regards,
/Rob
Robert Alexander <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Proposed MySQL Posting Guidelines Maintainer
http://www.ra1.net http://www.workmate.ca
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