To: The members of the FFML
Re: Definitions

The following list is NOT a proposal that each poster use the [*]
subjects that I am enumerating, rather it is how >>* I *<< see 
the actual breakdown of posts to this ML.  The use of the word
SPAM is functionally worthless as it is currently used.  It has a 
very fuzzy definition.  Listed below is an attempt to classify the
actual content of messages sent to the FFML:


0. [ADMIN]  Read it or weep - HE is talking at you!  And try very
hard to remember that WW (TY) pays for this list himself!  Thus,
he runs this ML as he sees fit, NOT as you do.  Ne?

1. [REM]  Remarks, comments or commentary made by the poster
that they *honestly* feel are relevant to the MLs' membership. This
is the slippery category, since people differ widely as to what they
will judge as relevant.

2. [C&C]  Comments / critques of Fanfics

3. [FANFIC]  Hopefully, self obvious.

4.  [HUMOR]  Attempts (^_^) at entertaining other members, BUT, it
must be at least related to the ML, or members thereof, OR, just plain
funny - damn hard to be sure of though.

5. [INFO]  Information that the poster *believes* is of relevance to 
the ML or its' membership.

6. [REPOST]  Request for the reposting of a fanfic.

7. [REQ]  Request for information concerning an ML subject, or a
member of the ML.

*********

8. [SPAM]  Basically, real spam is simply a post that has no relationship
to the purpose of the ML or any other of the redeeming qualities listed 
above.  In other words, to be quite blunt, SPAM is idle bullshit.

Comments such as "Me too" in answer to a question/comment are SPAM 
and a waste of both bandwidth and time.  Tedious chatter about utterly
irrelevant subjects also fall within this category. Etc, etc...

Anyone who would raise the flag of battle in order to defend their *right* 
to post this kind of crap is hopeless and should be "gently" chastised, i.e:
1) tell'em to can it, 2) warn'em that they're about to go to "never, never" 
land, and 3) send'em.

*********

Awaiting your [REM]s', [FLAME]s' <<< Bad post!<<<, etc, with interest.

johnd