Creating An Internet Mailing List...

Recently, I have been asked to participate in several new or different internet mailing lists, boards, or forums. I rather enjoy contributing where I can, but have noted some problems that some of the newer listings seem to have. So here are a few suggestions for those running or wanting to create a new mailing list.

First, there are several kinds. One is an open listing of friends where you might forward along things you think are funny or neat. IF you decide to do this, ask your friends FIRST if they want their screen name passed or forwarded to others. MANY junk email listings are created by people pasting together names. This can make your FRIENDS less than FRIENDLY.

Next, in general, people HATE attached forwards - they must scroll, scroll, and scroll. If you are sending mail, clean them off. This can be done using highlight backspace or delete. Also, those creating those 'cute' black screen images - opening them with a slow modem can PUNT the recipient. Also, people just forward them, and very soon they are MILES long with forwards.

If your new mailing list is to encourage open commentary and interaction, there needs to be a few things done in advance. Here are some good beginning suggestions from ONE of the lists I am on. In general terms, people like their privacy, so you should MAKE SURE that every person added to this type of list WANTS to be on it. To have an interactive list means ALL of the screen names are visible. Also, unsolicited bulk email violates the TOS rules of AOL. To ensure that does not occur, to your list have people send in requests to be on it. Save them to a file.

Also, the NUMBER of people who can participate in an interactive list is about 150. This is generally determined by the smallest, oldest computer/software capacity.
 

THE RULES:
 

1. No Flaming. Personal attacks intended to humiliate or deride another's choice of lifestyle, intelligence, or appearance will result in expulsion from the group. Honest differences of opinion and legitimate variety in points of view are never discouraged. Each charter member of this group was invited precisely for his or her commitment and ability to express, discuss, debate, or argue their divergent views without harassing others or being rude.
    
2. Confidentiality. In order to foster a free and open environment for discussion, all should feel comfortable in the knowledge that everything said here stays here. No post should be shared or discussed outside the group without the express permission of the author.
    
3. Privacy. Membership is by invitation only. This list should not be mixed with any other list in any joint e.mailings. Nor should the list be shared with anyone not a member of the group. If you know someone who is interested in being a member, kindly eMail me their screen name where they receive mail, and I will invite them. Before anyone becomes a member, the group will be advised and have an opportunity to comment to me privately about the prospective member.
    
4. Content. The group was created for the discussion of topics relevant to the D/s or BDSM lifestyles. Posts not relating to such topics are not discouraged as long as they may be of interest to all of the members of the group rather than only one or two. Also, in order that members' mailboxes do not become full (thereby rendering them unable to receive any more mail), one-line posts are discouraged.

THE NUTS AND BOLTS:
 

1. Reply. To reply to a post, click on "Reply to All" on the bottom left-hand side of the email you are replying to. If you want to reply only to the author of the post, click on "Reply". Then type your reply and send it. To reference a portion of the post you are replying to, highlight it by clicking on it with your mouse. Check out the keyword "Mail" for more information.
    
2. Making a New Post. It is recommended that each member copy the email list and save it. Then replace it when new lists with new members come out. A copy of the current list will be sent at regular intervals. To make a new post, click on compose mail, copy the list into the send box, then type "IDENTIFYING LETTERS SUCH AS FUNMAIL: (and your topic)" in the subject box to identify this group from others and to identify the topic for future posts following the string. You can also reply to all on the last email and just change the subject in the subject box.
    

Next, you have a BCC listing. This is a ONE-WAY, totally private email listing. Again, you should request an email ASKING to be put on the mailing list. You should NOT copy forward material. You should NOT send information as attachments (many cannot open them). You should MAKE SURE all material released is through the permission of the author. You should convert all Word or WordPerfect files to plain text and copy-cut-paste so that everyone in receipt can read them (note - many internet people cannot receive files attached to mail). To make all names disappear from each other, enclose them in parentheses (name). I do this for every individual name, though people tell me you can put (name, name, name). My listing changes so frequently that I do not wish to inadvertently reveal names. In my opinion, if you are in control of a BCC list, you should try to keep it clean, check for typos, and correct problems as they occur.

If your listing has adult content, MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE WRITING WHICH INFORMS THE POTENTIAL RECEIVERS THAT IT IS AN ADULT MAILING LIST AND THAT IF THEY ARE UNDER 21 THEY CANNOT PARTICIPATE OR BE ON IT!!! This type of preventive information should keep you out of trouble!
 

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Archivist Note: Email links (steeibtrfl@aol.com, and steelbfl@sonic.net) are no longer valid and have been omitted from this archive.

To purchase books by the OP, please search your preferred bookseller by title or by the OP's noms de plume: "Mistress Steel" and "F.R.R. Mallory".

Found May 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20010210213254/http://www.steel-door.com/Mailing_List.html.