AGCAS

1.    How do I join a discussion list?

To join an AGCAS discussion list, email lists@agcas.org.uk and tell us which list or lists you’d like to join. Our lists are closed so you can’t join any other way (despite the impression the JISCMail website might give).

2.    How do I suspend my membership of a list temporarily (and then reinstate it) or leave a list permanently?

If you wish to temporarily suspend (and then reinstate) your membership of a list, or leave a list permanently, email lists@agcas.org.uk. Alternatively, you can do this yourself on the JISCMail website (you'll need to set up/use your own JISCmail username and password, which is different from your AGCAS login). Go to Subscriber’s Corner in the Quick Links menu and follow the instructions.

3.    How do I search the archives?

Check that you are logged in to the JISCMail website. Then go to http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/agcas-servicelink.html (replacing 'agcas-servicelink' with the name of the list archive you are trying to search). Find the 'Search Archives' option in the far right hand column. You can search the archives by subject, title, author, date or on a combination of these options. The 'Advanced Options' function allows you to fine-tune/narrow your search further.


4.    What if I can’t send a message to a list?

The problem is usually that there is a mismatch between the email address we have registered for you and that from which you are sending the email. Aliases cause problems, as do any changes of address you haven’t told us about - there must be an exact match. You might be able to fix the problem yourself on the JISCMail website (you'll need to set up/use your own JISCmail username and password, which is different from your AGCAS login). Go to Subscriber’s Corner in the Quick Links menu where you’ll see the lists to which you subscribe. Click on the list name and your details should appear. Simply replace the email address it gives for you with your new/real address. If the list you are trying to send a message to doesn’t appear at all, you are not currently registered - email lists@agcas.org.uk and ask to join it. If neither of these solves the problem, email lists@agcas.org.uk.  

5.    What if I’m going on holiday?

Many members are irritated when they receive ‘out-of-office’ replies in response to messages they post to lists. Unread messages in your inbox during prolonged absences can also overload your own system – and be daunting to return to. It’s easy enough to suspend your email. Either contact lists@agcas.org.uk or, even better if this is a fairly regular occurrence, learn to do it yourself on the JISCMail website (you'll need to set up/use your own JISCmail username and password, which is different from your AGCAS login). Go to Subscriber’s Corner in the Quick Links menu and follow the instructions. Once you’ve waded through your other messages and caught up a bit, access the archives for lists of interest and read through what you’ve missed at leisure!

6.    Can I send attachments to lists?

Please avoid sending any attachments to lists as multiple copies of attached files can crash servers, slow down connections and cause major problems for other AGCAS colleagues. Alternatives are: pasting the contents of your attachment into the body of the email; referring in your email to a place where the document can be found, perhaps on your own website; asking Chris Jackson if a document can be housed on the AGCAS website, or elsewhere, where it can be read; inviting anyone interested to request the document directly from you.

7.    Are there any other dos and don’ts?

Besides not sending attachments, please observe the following AGCAS “netiquette”:

•    Never “flame” or appear to make personal criticisms of other AGCAS members to a list. Make such points in private. Even then, consider whether email is the best medium.
•    Give your message a meaningful title - this makes it retrievable from the archive - and think what search terms you might use to find information on the topic. This allows AGCAS members to make informed choices about whether to open your message or not.
•    AGCAS discussion lists are excellent vehicles for publicising job vacancies in your organisation and vacancies on task groups, but they are not designed to advertise any of the following: courses at your own institution; job vacancies or placements for students or graduates; training courses or events not organised by AGCAS. It is possible to advertise through AGCAS in other ways - contact Chris Jackson in the first instance.
•    Don't say anything, or prompt others to say anything, which could be libellous or which could compromise your professional reputation, that of your organisation or that of AGCAS. When using an AGCAS list to check out factual information concerning another organisation or individual, for example, explain why you are doing it in neutral terms and invite direct responses to you. Even then, stick strictly to facts in all communications which refer to individuals or organisations. If in doubt, take legal advice.
•    Think twice before making jokes and stick to topics of professional interest - your sense of humour or views on what makes interesting reading might not be shared by everyone.
•    Re-read your message before sending it, especially if it’s tackling a difficult or controversial issue.

If you are in doubt about posting a message, contact Chris Jackson.

8.      How do I start a new list?

Chris Jackson is the overall discussion lists manager and is the person to discuss policy with or to contact about starting a new list. You’ll need to tell her who it’s for, how many subscribers you expect, why the list will be useful and, ultimately, convince her that it will be well used! If the intended list is for communicating with a small group of colleagues, consider whether setting up your own email group might not be equally straightforward. Remember, managing AGCAS discussion lists uses AGCAS resources, which perhaps could be channelled elsewhere. You should also think twice about setting up a specialist list and consider whether it will be used in preference to sending messages to the more general lists. Specialist lists work best when they have a “champion”, a list member prepared to make sure the list is known about and well used, when there is a large group of AGCAS members with a strong interest in the topic and when there are lots of new developments, specialist knowledge and contentious issues to share.