FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - MidMOF Discussion List

(If members of the list have acquaintances who would like to take part, it

might be a good idea to print this FAQ post and make it available to them.)

Q: What is MidMOF?

A: MidMOF is a discussion list created to facilitate discussion of Middle

Kingdom marshalling-related issues in SCA rapier combat. This primarily

means rules discussion, but can extend to safety issues, marshal training,

and philosophy of marshalling.

-------------------------------------

Q: How do I participate in the discussion?

A: To get on the MidMOF list--that is to begin receiving messages from the

list, simply send a blank email message to:

mkmof-subscribe@eGroups.com

A confirming message will be then sent to the sender. Upon the original

sender's replying to the confirmation message (a security feature to prevent

others from signing you up without your permission), and Padraig approving

the request (a manual operation also for security sake-almost always done

same-day), posts to the MidMOF list will begin going to that email address.

This is called "subscribing."

-------------------------------------

Q. How do I unsubscribe?

A: To unsubscribe, simply send a blank email message to:

mkmof-unsubscribe@eGroups.com

-------------------------------------

Q: I'd like to participate, but I really can't handle getting all those

emails each day. Is there a way to accomodate me?

A: There are three messaging options.

The default when you join MidMOF is to receive individual messages. That

is,

every comment posted goes out as a separate email message.

Another option is to receive the digest version of the list. This means

that

every day you would get one (1) email message with the text of every message

for the day in it. If the text got too long for a single message there

could

be a second email, but that would be the exception rather than the rule. You

could then respond using your reply button just as you would for an

individual message and your comments will go out to others immediately

(those

who have the individual message option) and also will appear in the next

digest to go out. Note--Please do not use "Quote All" when you reply to the

digest. Use the minimum quoting necessary so that people know what you are

responding to.

The third option is to choose Web-only. In this case, you would not receive

any email from the list at all, but could read all of the list's messages on

the MidMOF web site. This is a good option for people already inundated

with

email or whose only email is a work account, etc.

To select either of the latter two options, you must a) be subscriber to

MidMOF -AND- b) register to use the web site so you can access it to set

your

preferences. Once you are registered to use the web site, you can read

messages there, even if you have chosen an email message option as well.

(To register, see next question)

-------------------------------------

Q: I've heard about other features, like downloading files and selecting

other message options. How do I do that?

A: To use the other features of MidMOF's web site, one must complete a

further step beyond subscribing, called "registering."

Go to:

http://www.egroups.com/register?method=displayregistrationform&url=/www

Enter your email address and click "Continue."

A confirming email will be sent to you. Follow the instructions in the

to complete your registration, including entering a password. Included in

this registration process are a few steps where you are asked if you wish to

receive offers by email. Just click "No, don't ask me again" on these two

three screens and you won't be put on any kind of email solicitation list.

This completes the registration process, and your password will give you

access to the download vault, web message reading, etc.

-------------------------------------

Q: This sounds like a lot of hassle to get full access. Why is signing up

complex?

A: These multiple steps are a security feature to help prevent users from

receiving mail they didn't sign up for. Just so you're aware--only

subscribers can post or read messages, and every subscription is manually

approved, which helps keep out subscribers like jerk@spaminator.com, so the

chance of getting spammed because you belong to the MidMOF list is very low.

The confirming email also ensures that the address being posted from is a

real, in-use address, and not a spammer's alias.

-------------------------------------

Q: I'm concerned about listing my information with Egroups and how that

might

be used. What about personal security?

A: While the MidMOF group is listed in Egroups directory of groups so SCA

people can find us (search under "SCA"), there is no viewable member

directory, not even one accessible to members--no personal information is

visible to the public. Only the list manager/moderator will have access to

the list of members. Egroups has been very faithful in honoring their

permission.

Just make sure when you are registering to use the web site, that you

withhold permission to be solicited. Our experience has been that Egroups

scrupulously honors whatever you indicate.

-------------------------------------

Q: I'm not really interested in all this administrative stuff--I just want

poke at people with pointy things. Is there a discussion list for me?

A: Mid-Fence is another discussion list where the actual combat is

discussed--techniques, weapon styles, etc. That group can be subscribed to

by sending a message to

majordomo@midrealm.org

with a subject line of

subscribe sca-fence

=========================================

For King and Kingdom--

Padraig O'Conchobhair of Connacht AOA, ODH

Minion of Discourse/MidMOF List Manager

email: LDunham509@aol.com