Overview
updated: May 20, 2003
The afp-l FAQ is posted periodically on the discussion list. If you have never read the afp-l FAQ, or are planning to post a message for the first time, please read it!
The most recent version is always available on the Web at http://www.botos.com/afp/faq.html.
Comments about the FAQ are welcomed, but should be sent directly to Michael Botos at mbotos@botos.com or Stephen Wowelko at sawowelk@syr.edu, rather than being posted to the list.
FAQ
Frequently Asksed Questions
- What is afp-l?
- What are the guidelines for posting on afp-l?
- Can I include my company's URL in my signature block?
- What is the relationship between afp-l and IBM?
- Who the heck are Michael Botos and Stephen Wowelko anyway?
- How do I subscribe to afp-l?
- Can I set up my subscription so that I can post from my office email and my personal email addresses?
- What should I do if I stop receiving postings?
- Where is the afp-l archive, and is it searchable?
- Is a daily digest available?
- How do I unsubscribe from afp-l?
- Sometimes I get a string of 'out-of-office message. Why is that?
- What is afp-l?
afp-l is a free, open discussion list dealing with all aspects of IBM's Advance Function Presentation [AFP] architecture, both hardware and software. The list is administered by Michael Botos and Stephen Wowelko.
afp-l began in 1995, as an XPLOR-hosted discussion list. In 1997, it moved to the Topica Exchange, where it currently resides. At last count there were approximately 550 subscribers, and messages averaging 3-4 per day. Standard netiquette and courtesy apply at all times.
- What are the guidelines for posting on afp-l?
All posts should be in plain text (ascii text), in order for all members of the list to be able to read them. If you're going to post to the list, be sure to verify that your email software is set up to send messages as plain or asciitext rather than HTML or MIME-encoded text. If necessary, make the change in your software's preferences before you post a message.
Attachments are permitted, but please consider whether the attachment is of general interest. Consider also that some subscribers use dial-up access and large attachments cost connect time.
Encouraged postings:In general, the following subjects (and any related issues) are encouraged:
- technical questions regarding specific AFP software
- technical questions regarding specific AFP hardware
- requests for assistance with specific problems
- requests for advice on available software tools
- information about the availability of FREE afp tools or resources
- announcements of open positions requiring AFP skills
In contrast, the following subjects are considered inappropriate and should not be posted:
- For profit advertising of any kind - note: Vendors may mention their products in response to a specific subscriber question. These replies should state the product name, answer any specific subscriber questions, and provide a URL or other contact information for more information. The list is not a sales forum.
- Soliciting new customers for your or your company's products
- "Me too"s: There is no need to respond with a post that says "Yes, I agree," or "me too" and nothing else. If you're going to post a message, make sure that your message is adding value to the conversation.
- Administrative questions [send these directly to Michael Botos at mbotos@botos.com or Stephen Wowelko at sawowelk@syr.edu]
- Complaints about 'out-of-office' messages: Topica has pretty good checks to keep this kind of message off the list. Occasionally one slips by, but rarely two from the same individual. Michael and Stephen handle looping messages administratively. note: If you an have 'out-of-office' option in your eamil software, please configure it not to auto reply to messages from 'afp-l@topica.com'.
- Virus warnings:
virus warning ban: Every now and then you may receive an email from someone warning you about a new computer virus, encouraging you to spread the word. In 99.9% of all cases, these messages are _hoaxes_. The virus itself doesn't exist; rather, the hundreds of thousands of emails generated by people spreading the word about it is the actual virus, taking up precious Internet bandwidth. If you are determined to post a warning, though, please check the Virus Warning website at http://www.kumite.com/myths to confirm or debunk the virus' existence.
virus warning ban exception: Topica has software in place to trap most viruses. If, however, your virus software detects that a virus has attached itself to a message sent out to the afp-ldistribution list, then please do post an alert message if someone else on the list has not already done so.
Helpful posting suggestions: When posting a message to the list, be sure to consider the following:
- Use clear and meaningful subjects. Some subscribers decide to open or delete messages based solely on the subject line. For example, if you have a question regarding ACIF control statements, put the term'ACIF' in the subject line rather than something like 'Software question'. note: All subject lines sent from the discussion list begin Subject: _[afp-l] .... for easy identification.
- Number your questions & replies. If you ask multiple questions in your post, be sure to number them. This makes it easier for everyone to understand what you are asking and facilitates replying to specific questions.
- public vs. private replies: By default, when you press REPLY TO in your email software, your reply will be sent to the entire distribution list. Usually you will want to post your reply to the entire list. If for some reason you intend to send a private reply, be sure to adjust your TO: address prior to sending your message.
- Trim the original: Trim the size of the original message - there's no reason to repost the entire original. Instead, include only the highlights and key points of the message to which you're responding. note for digest readers: When replying from the digest, be sure to delete all message segments except for the one you are actually replying to. This avoids confusion and greatly reduces the size of your posting. It will also help if you can adjust your reply subject line to the line of the message to which your are replying, rather than leaving the 'Digest of...' subject.
- Sign your messages! All posts to afp-l should be signed with your name and email address.
- Can I include my company's URL in my signature block?
A simple URL or company 'one-liner' is permitted. But keep your signature block in the sprit of the prohibition on advertising mentioned above.
- What is the relationship between afp-l and IBM?
apf-l is completely independent. It has no ties with IBM. IBM develops and manufactures a significant amount of the software and hardware discussed on the list. All other software & hardware vendors are encouraged to join the list and participate in the discussion. There are a number of IBM employees who subscribe and actively participate in the discussions.
- Who the heck are Michael Botos and Stephen Wowelko anyway?
Michael and Stephen first met at an IBM AFP Advanced training class in June of 1990, in Dallas TX. It was love at first byte [x'5A' that is!]. They have had a running battle of 'one-up-manship' ever since. It depends on who you talk to, as to who is winning.
Michael is the original founder of the discussion list. Michael was an AFP guru in a 'previous life'. He is now totally consumed by the web, but continues to administer the list as a 'hobby' and as a way of keeping up with Internet email practices. Michael currently works as a project manager for Pitney Bowes docSense on EBPP applications. For more information see the Botos family web site.
Stephen Wowelko once foolishly offered to watch over the list while Michael was on vacation. The rest is history. Stephen is an Independent Consultant dealing with AFP Application Design and Education, who has taught customized AFP courses at customer sites throughout the US. Stephen is also the webmaster for the Xplor NorthEast region's web site.
Both Michael and Stephen are certified as Electronic Document Professionals [EDP]
- How do I subscribe to afp-l?
To join afp-l, send a message to afp-l-subscribe@topica.com. No special subject or text in the body is required. You will then be added to the afp-l list.
- Can I set up my subscription so that I can post from my office email and my personal email addresses?
The easiest way to do this is to become a Topica member [membership is free]. As a Topica member, you can set up one or more email aliases, from which you can post messages to the list. Once you are signed on to Topica, simply go to your email preferences page and add any email addresses from which you wish to post.
- What should I do if I stop receiving postings?
Topica has sophisticated software that handles 'bounced' messages -- messages that are sent back as undeliverable by your ISP. The reasons for this can vary from your mailbox being full, to your former email address no longer existing. After two bounced messages, your subscription is marked as inactive. Topica does this in part to be a good Internet citizen and not clog the net with unnecessary traffic. If you suspect a problem with your subscription, please contact Michael or Stephen via email. They have the ability to reset your subscription. note: Topica prohibits even list administrators from resetting subscribers more than 5 times due to bounce messages.
- Where is the afp-l archive, and is it searchable?
You can access the archive of all posts from April of 1995 to the present at http://www.topica.com/lists/afp-l/read.
Searches automatically examine the entire archive.
- Is a daily digest available?
Yes. afp-l can be a high-volume list at times. You can elect to receive the postings in one large chunk once each day. This is the best way to avoid information overload for many people, but it can also slow down one's involvement in the discussion. To receive the digest, visit the afp-l list management site at http://www.topica.com/group/afp-l and click on the "edit my membership" button on the right-hand side. You'll be able to switch your membership setting to digest format. Return to this same page to re-adjust your settings.
- How do I unsubscribe from afp-l? To unsubscribe, send a message to afp-l-unsubscribe@topica.com. You'll then be removed from the list. note: This is a different address than the one you post to!
- Sometimes I get a string of 'out-of-office message. Why is that?
Some out-of-office messages are generated by individual subscriber's email software and mistakenly are broadcast to the entire list.
A second source applies only if you post a message or reply. Topica sends copies of any 'out-of-office' message to you as the originator of a message. This 'feature' cannot be turned off!
