There are very few rules as a member of this list/forum. Few restrictions, we have found, result in the greatest number of innovative contributions. However, a few rules are critically important. If you subscribed to this forum and especially if you send messages to the forum, you are agreeing to four rules. These rules, by the way, apply to members of nearly any Internet news or interest group. The rules are:

Rule 1: Do not use the forum for illegal purposes, including but not limited to defamation, violation of intellectual property laws, violation of antitrust or unfair competition laws or violation of criminal laws.

Rule 2: Do not intentionally interfere with or disrupt other forum members, network services, or network equipment. This includes distribution of unsolicited advertisement or chain letters, propagation of computer worms and viruses, and use of the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the list. If you break these rules then you will be unsubscribed because the rules govern the very heart of our arrangements with our service provider---or any other service provider for Internet.

Rule 3: Do not use the list for commercial purposes. "Commercial" as used for purposes of evaluating listserv messages means communications whose primary purpose is to advance the business or financial interests of any person or entity, or otherwise to promote a financial transaction for the benefit of the author directly or indirectly. Examples of prohibited communications include advertisements for products or services, notices regarding rental of office space, or direct solicitations of listserv members to purchase products or services.

Examples of messages that may be of financial benefit to listserv members but are not prohibited because they do not inure to the financial benefit of the author include news of job listings or position openings, or discussion of professionally-related products or services where the listserv member conveying the information is not in the business of selling the products or services. Announcements that provide useful professional information to list members but may also have some incidental commercial benefit to the sender (e.g. an author who is a list member merely advising the list of publication of a professional book) typically would not be "commercial" for purposes of this restriction.

Rule 4:  Do not engage in flaming.  Flaming is the practice of posting messages to the discussion list that are deliberately hostile and insulting.

In addition to these rules, various guidelines have emerged within the "culture" of electronic list forums. By following these guidelines and rules, you will contribute to a climate of trust and collegiality that encourages a friendly, informed and, yet spontaneous discourse.

Guideline 1: Please send a message to all of us and introduce yourself. Just send the message to: SIOP-SDL@lists.apa.org . Try to keep your messages brief. For your introduction, you might note your name, professional affiliation, where you live, why you joined the list, and any request or question you might have. For example, new members might note that they would like to collaborate with colleagues who are interested in certain issues.

Guideline 2: Please sign each of your messages, including your email address. This enables us to directly communicate with you in response to your message. Most email software includes a signature option that automatically generates this information and any other you wish.

Guideline 3: Please keep your messages constructive, courteous, and brief.

Guideline 4: If your email software program includes, and you utilize, an option that repeats the message to which you are responding, please do not repeat any part of the message that is not essential. This will save considerable space (bandwidth) for everyone who receives your message.

Guideline 5: Please think globally. Though most of our members are from the U.S., some list members are not. Thus, try to avoid the use of colloquial/slang terms or long and complex sentences.

Guideline 6: Please be supportive of fellow list members and show mutual respect. Some day you may wish to unsubscribe from the list. If so, please send me a message. However, if you can remember, simply send a message to: listserv@lists.apa.org. Use no subject line. Your message should say only: unsubscribe <SIOP-SDL>.