CSGnet Protocol

[from Gary Cziko 930308.2140 GMT]

Over the last few days Greg Williams had difficulty getting direct messages
to Ray Jackson and so sent some to him through CSGnet. In checking
messages returned over the weekend to the CSGnet listserver today, I found
that CSGnet messages have also been bouncing back from Ray Jackson. So
apparently the problem was/is at Ray's end and not Greg's.

There is lesson to be learned from this. If you have difficulty
communicating directly with someone but you have no problems with other
addresses, chances are that the problem is at the other end and that CSGnet
is also having difficulty communicating with this person. Therefore, it
makes little sense to send personal messages to the individual in question
via CSGnet hoping to get around the problem. Sending direct you will find
out if your message is bounced back. You will get feedback (closed-loop,
if delayed). Sending via CSGnet is open loop (bad).

Therefore, the simple rule that makes sense to me and perhaps to others is
NEVER to send PURELY personal messages via CSnet (such as, "Joe, send me a
copy, too"). The only exception to this is if you have a very short note
that can be tacked onto a CSGnet post of general interest (as Bill Powers
sometimes does as in "Greg, the ms. is in the mail") and you know that the
other person religiously (or irreligiously) reads EVERYTHING posted to
CSGnet.

On the other hand, posting to CSGnet is the way to go if even though your
message is directed to one person you suspect that it might be of interest
to others (even if only a few) on CSGnet.

If you wish to find the e-mail address of anyone (and everyone) on CSGnet,
just send the following command as the text of a message to
LISTSERV@VMD.CSO.UIUC.EDU

rev csg-l (countries

--Gary

ยทยทยท

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Gary Cziko Telephone: 217-333-8527
Educational Psychology FAX: 217-244-7620
University of Illinois E-mail: g-cziko@uiuc.edu
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