Biowar list rules

• Limit posts to essential information, no chit-chat , no rants, no off-topic posts.
• Fact-check your information. Include the following with your posts, if possible: Source of info (name, title, organization, phone, fax, email), contact date/time, and level of confidence (UNKNOWN SOURCE, KNOWN SOURCE, UNNAMED BUT KNOWN SOURCE, UNRELIABLE SOURCE, RUMOR, AUTHORITY, etc.). Do NOT pass along a rumor or second-hand information unless you've tracked it back to the original source as far as possible. Be aware that some people will attempt to use this list for disinfo, so independent research is encouraged.
• No posts that are libelous or otherwise violate civil and criminal statutes are permitted.
• If you're forwarding information to BIOWAR and it's not from a widely-recognized authoritative source, it's your responsiblity to check it first by doing a Web search, etc. and explicitly listing URLs and documentation.
• For replies: use" >" for all quoted lines and limit to a few sentences for context. Do NOT resend the entire message.
• No attachments. Suggestion: put them on a Web page and provide the URL, or if they are text, copy/paste to a message.
• Flamers/spammers/hoaxers/disinfo operators will be immediately removed from the list
• Address posts only to biowar@topica.com. Do not include other addresses, lists, or cc's. Reason: replies to "all" can result in inappropriate posts to the list or bounces from non-subscribers, which creates massive extra work for your list moderator.
• If material is available on a Web site, provide the URL rather than post it, explain why it's relevant and important to the list, and summarize important points if appropriate. Exception: short extracts and current news items, where posts may be more convenient for readers and some news items may expire from Web sites. In both cases, paste in the complete URL on a line by itself at the beginning. Note that each message has a 40K bytes limit on this list.
• Maximum line length on posts is 70 characters. Do not extend beyond that.
• Comments and questions on list coverage (inappropriate posts, scope of list, allowable topics, etc.) must go to me privately, to maximize signal/noise
• When forwarding: to reduce clutter, snip cc: lists and all other header/footer junk. Forwarded headers must include only "From," "Subject," and "Date" fields (plus the name of the list name if forwarded from a list). If forwarding from another list, include the list information also. Forwards of personal email must be by permission only and state that fact.
• Do not include quoted material in posts except for a short line or two to provide context.
  For example: Wes Thomas (west@sonic.net) said:
  >In quoting from a message, use standard Net quoting conventions:
  >precede all lines of the quoted material with right >arrows, as in this example.
• Do not post messages with "rich text" (formatted material, with special fonts, bolds, etc.), which causes problems with some email software. This applies mainly when you're using a browser to send email. Set your browser options for plain text. If you don't know how, don't use a browser when posting to the list or get technical assistance from your ISP.
• Do not offer medical or legal advice unless you are appropriately credentialed and state your credentials and state (or country, for international subscribers) in which licensed. If you are qualified to offer medical or legal advice, it must be generic and not directed to any list member.
• Got a list problem or comment about the scope or management of the list? Contact me directly by email (west@sonic.net). Do NOT discuss it on the list.
  

Violation of any of these rules may result in removal from the list without warning, at the discretion of the list moderator.