Laye is a great guy. I don't know frankly what he, Buharry, PPG, Olfactor, Evian, and Coach have been doing in PDOIS.

Anyway, I think all those who haven't introduced themselves to us, this is the time to do it people. ANyone who is here but doesn't speak, unless you're infirmed physically or mentally, we're removing you unless we hear you at least once a friggin month. I mean how do we know you're not dead and taking up valuable space of our host?????????

Haruna. Mams, I don't wanna hear it.

-----Original Message-----
From: A Jallow <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Mon, Apr 12, 2010 9:28 am
Subject: Gambia-L Info & Rules (Reminder)



PURPOSE AND FEATURES OF GAMBIA-L
The precursor to Gambia-L was a mailing list started in August 1994,
ollowing the overthrow of the Jawara government.  This list was run
anually by Dr. Katim Touray at University of Wisconsin Madison as a
ublic service effort to providing it's then handful of subscribers,
ith a means to discuss developments in The Gambia, and exchange ideas
bout the nation's future. The mailing list was formally named
AMBIA-L in early 1996.
The rapid growth of the Internet resulted in more Gambians getting
nline and consequently an increase in the number of subscribes to the
riginal mail list.  This, together with a number of factors,
arranted a much more powerful and flexible list management system.
he University of Washington in Seattle provided this facility until
ay 1999 when St. Johns University agreed to host it on its Maelstrom
ist server. On January 11, 2006 the migrated to ICORS after St John's
niversity's decision to put Maelstrom out of service.
To attain the excellence we aspire to, GAMBIA-L has always relied upon
he service of its members. The management of the list is shared by a
umber of volunteers that will be rotated as and when needed.  New
ubscribers are expected to introduce themselves to the Gambia-L, thus
elping people find friends and give others an idea about the
omposition of the list.
GAMBIA-L is not a moderated list, and for this reason, all postings
re sent directly to subscribers without intervention or screening.
or this reason, postings are the responsibility of subscribers, and
ot list managers or ICORS our host.
Postings on Gambia-L are archived, meaning they are stored on the
omputer that runs the program listserver that sends mails to all
ubscribers.
hus, you can obtain any and all postings that have ever been sent to
ambia-L since it’s launch at the current location through the
eb-interface at:
ttp://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?REPORT&z=3#SUBSSUBSCRIBE
hether you are subscribed to Gambia-l or not.
Subscribing to Gambia-L
Gambia-L is a closed list, meaning that you cannot subscribe yourself
o the list. Thus, someone, (any of the list managers/ owners) has to
ubscribe you.
hen people send in their requests for subscription, all managers
eceive it and the first one to have the chance adds the person. All
anagers can also see which manager added a new member. People can
nly un-subscribe themselves without the intervention of managers
lthough managers see who signed off.
GAMBIA-L RULES.
1.  Postings on Gambia-L should not contain extreme insulting or
ffensive language; pornographic material; notices of virus hoaxes;
nd chain letters.
2.  We're a diverse, worldwide group of several hundred people.  Our
mphasis is on sharing information.  Flaming and personal insults
including name calling, libelous statements) are out of place here.
3.  List Managers will, without warning, de-list members who
onstantly engage in name calling and insults.
4. A List Manager can remove a subscriber for violating any of the
ules after having informed other Managers and waiting for a response
ithin a period of 24 hours from other managers.
5.  Requests for subscriptions/unsubscriptions should be sent
rivately to Gambia-L managers at
[log in to unmask], or through ICORS's web
nterface at
ttp://www.lsoft.com/scripts/wl.exe?SL1=GAMBIA-L&H=LISTSERV.ICORS.ORG
6.  Personal mail should be sent privately, and not to the List .
7. Any subscriber who feels that his/her parent has been abused has to
end evidence to the List management that someone abused his/her
arents before responding in kind on the L because this might result
n the delisting of both the offender and the person offended.
8.  Complaints about conduct of other subscribers must be sent
irectly to the Managers and not to the entire List. Management will
hen write to the accused subscriber in private with a copy of the
ail to the complainant.
8a.  The accused subscriber must, within 72 hours, respond to the
omplaint with an apology and promise not to repeat the offence, or
efute the allegations against him or her.
8b.  In that there is a disagreement about the gravity of the
llegation, Gambia-L List Managers will vote on whether the accused is
uilty or not.
8c.  If the offender is found by the majority of List Managers to be
uilty of the allegations, he or she must apologize to the person
ffended by his or her posting within 72 hours.
8d. Failure to respond to an alleged offence or apologize after 3
orking days will result in removal from the List.
9. Forwarding responses or emails by someone who was de-listed will
esult in the delisting of the person who forwarded the mail,
specially if it is to insult or castigate others.
10. All those who threaten the existence of this List or otherwise
mpersonate others by means of "spoofing" e-mail headers including
ddresses of other subscribers, will be banned from re-subscribing to
ambia-L.
11. An expelled subscriber may apply to rejoin the list three months
fter his or her expulsion.
12. Applications to rejoin the list must be approved by a simple
ajority of the management team.

ARTICIPATING IN DISCUSSIONS
It can be very rewarding to subscribe to a mailing list.  This is even
ore so if, like Gambia-L, the list you subscribe to links people of
he same nationality, or interested in the affairs of a nation and
t's peoples.  The constant exchange of ideas, information, greetings,
nd yes, harsh words is indicative of how helpful mailing lists can be
o people all over the world.
Along with all these and other benefits come some pitfalls, and
rawbacks that must be borne in mind when you communicate with
ambia-L subscribers.  The following is aimed at providing you with a
rief introduction to the do's and don'ts of mailing list usage and
hould hopefully help you make the best of the list.  Further, it is
oped that by using Gambia-L more efficiently, you will also be of
ven greater value to it's subscribers, and hence The Gambia and her
riends.
At First
There's always a first time!  For this reason, we've all at one time
r the other has felt excited, nervous, and unsure or whatever about
ur first message to a mailing list.  Thus, you're not alone in
eeling like a newbie; new computer and Internet users are called.
Your first message to Gambia-L should be your self-introduction.  The
ext step after sending in your self-introduction is to do nothing!
on't send any messages to the list.  This might sound bizarre advice,
ut your silence will help you learn about the atmosphere of the list,
ow people debate, and what issues are of concern to subscribers.
ust sit back and read postings that come your way.  This act of lying
own low in a mailing list is called lurking.  Once you feel that
ou're comfortable with the list, you can start sending postings.
How long should you lurk?  Well, it depends on a number of issues such
s the amount of traffic when you subscribed, whether you've had
xperience with other lists, etc.  For example if you subscribe at a
ime when there's not much debate going on, it will take you a while
o get a healthy number of messages that can be used to judge the
tmosphere on the list.  On the other hand, if you join in the midst
f a raging controversy, you can bet that the volume of traffic
enerated in a day will be enough to tell you what you've gotten into.
Even though it is important to keep quiet for a while, it doesn't mean
hat you should not send in replies to questions that are
ime-sensitive.  For example, if you just subscribed and someone asks
bout something you have knowledge of, please feel free to help and
nswer the question.  This is especially true if no other responses
re forthcoming from other list subscribers.  You might very well be
he only person who knows the answer to a question.
Human Issues
Perhaps the most important consideration in your mind is the fact that
ven though we are all communicating through the medium of computer
etworks, we are all human beings.  This means that we have feelings,
 sense of justice, and a desire to be treated with respect.  For this
eason, please ask yourself the simple question: would I appreciate
omeone telling me what I am about to say?
his is especially important when you are inclined to respond to a
osting, or send out one in a fit of rage.  In times like these, we
re especially prone to say things we do not really mean, and live to
egret.  And given that everything sent to Gambia-L is archived, you
eally can't take back what you said.
It is important that you work toward mature and responsible postings.
his is for the simple reason that a lot of people on Gambia-L have
othing to judge you by other than your postings.  What you say
eflects you a lot, and you'd be advised to make sure that it is the
est of you that comes out.  And it's a small world.  You never know
hen you're going to run into someone who's been reading your postings
n Gambia-L.
We all like to be humorous and even sarcastic sometimes.  However,
esirable as these traits are, we should be very careful with them in
-mail because of the potential for being misunderstood.  Unless you
se some well-known jokes or humor, you can be sure that some
ubscribers would either not get it, or be out rightly offended.  Even
hen you say you're just joking! So what's one to do to avoid being a
ore?  Well, necessity they say is the mother of invention, and so
ome conventions styles have been developed to address the need for
onveying emotions and jokes through e-mail.  ASCII art, emoticons
sometimes called smiles) all offer some means of being funny without
eing offensive.
Gambia-L is about sharing.  So it is important that you give back as
uch as you can.  It doesn't take much to send a short e-mail message
ith the address of a Web site you think might be of use to someone on
he list.  Passing on such information will not only help people, but
ill also make you valuable to many people.  And you never know when
hey are going to feel obligated to return your kind gesture!
You should also remember to never be personal.  At all costs, avoid
etting dragged (downward) into fruitless arguments and wars of words.
Such personal verbal fights are called flame wars, and can only
oison the atmosphere of a mailing list.  The best service you can do
o Gambia-L, and indeed The Gambia, is to refrain from flaming.  If
ou get attacked anyway, you should respond to that person in private.
Between the two of you, you can engage in any kind of argument you
ant, and for however you want, as long as it is between the two
f you.
Gambia-L is not just about agreeing all the time.  By all means, feel
ree to disagree with postings sent to the list.  However, you should
e aware that you are most helpful to the list if your criticism is
onstructive and helpful.
houting down people, personal attacks, and the like help no one on
he list, including you.  Also, you should cite references to support
ny claims you make in your postings.  Or at the minimum, be prepared
o give people who ask evidence to support whatever it is you are
laiming.
E-mail Style Guide
E-mail is a wonderful medium, no doubt, but it also is different from
ther forms of communication in many respects.  For this reason, it is
mportant to be aware of certain issues when you do e-mail.  This
ould not only save you trouble, and embarrassment, but it will also
ave a lot of people a lot of trouble.
Perhaps the most important habit to develop in using mailing lists is
o be brief.  Gambia-L subscribers receive an average of 10 messages a
ay from the list.  Considering that people subscribe to a number of
ailing lists, it is easy to see that many people are barely coping
ith a lot of e-mail already.
For this reason, you'd be doing everyone a great favor if you are
rief, and to the point.  People who want more detail about whatever
t is you're talking about can always ask that you send it to them in
rivate.  Toward this end, it is advisable that you always indicate in
our posting that you can send details to anyone who asks for them, if
hat is, you have any more details to give out.
You can also help people a lot by using descriptive titles in your
ubject headings of your e-mail to Gambia-L.  An e-mail with a Subject
itled "Request for help on locating Gamtel's phone number" is much
ore informative than one that simply says, "Help!"  The first heading
ill help people decide faster than the second whether they can be of
ny help or not.
nd every second saved is a second that can be spent doing something
lse, or helping people!
Gambia-L has a diverse base of subscribers.  This should be an
mportant consideration as you compose your e-mail to send to the
ist.  Thus, you should avoid being too technical, because not
veryone is, or too casual (because not everyone is your
cquaintance), or too for this reason, you should think about your
udience.
You should avoid being redundant, or repetitive.  Because people get a
ot of e-mail, you should not waste their time by repeating what's
lready been said.
lthough most e-mail packages will append a copy of the mail you are
eplying to your reply, you should not include all of it when replying
o a posting. You can summarize what you are following up on, and if
ou have to quote the original posting, do not quote everything. To
ndicate that you're leaving material out of your quote, uses ellipsis
...) or *SNIP* as shown in
he following examples below:
a) Full quote

 Keep in mind that when referring to a <list>, that list may be of two
 Kinds: local or remote, unless otherwise noted. When referring to a
 local list, your request will be immediately processed; when referring
 to a remote list (a list served by another LISTSERV(tm) which this
 system knows about), your request will be appropriately forwarded.

b) Shortened quotes (first, using ellipses, and then using *SNIP*)
>
 Keep in mind that when referring to a <list>, that list may be of two
 kinds:
>
 Keep in mind that when referring to a <list>, that list may be of two
 kinds:   *SNIP*
Note the dramatic reduction in the amount of reading you have to do
hen the shortened quotes are used.  Also, because people reading
hese shortened quotes already received the original message, they
till can follow your argument with just one sentence long reference
o the posting you are responding to.
Another important issue to be constantly aware of is the fact that
ambia-L is a public forum.  This means that there's no privacy in the
-mail you send to the list.  Indeed, everything sent to the list is
rchived, meaning that it is stored in a computer at ICORS, and can be
etrieved by anybody with Internet access.  This sounds so obvious
hat it seems dumb to talk about it.  However, it is important to
mphasize the point, for the simple reason that some people think that
t is enough to delete an e-mail message to ensure that it's gone
orever.  Nothing is further from the truth.
 simple rule of thumb when using e-mail is that because of the lack
f privacy, you should not write anything you would not want to find
n the newspaper tomorrow.
Do not type your e-mail message all in UPPER CASE LETTERS.  For one
hing, it is much harder to read stuff in ALL CAPS than in regular
ixed-case format.
hile you might be tempted to use all caps to emphasize a point, this
s not the way to do it.  You should sparingly use caps for emphasis.
or example, the sentence: "I would like to express my strong
ISAGREEMENT with the fellow" is much better than: "I WOULD LIKE TO
XPRESS MY STRONG DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FELLOW" Obviously, the point
ou are emphasizing is lost in the second format of the same sentence.

ambia-L Etiquette
There is no point in sending certain messages to the list.  Anything
hat should be taken care of by list management should not be sent to
ambia-L.
hey simply would not be able to help.  For example, sending a "Please
nsubscribe me" message to the list would not do you, or any one any
ood.
uch issues are best addressed to list management, if you want to save
eople trouble, and have your problem dealt with.
Do not send your response to a posting to Gambia-L if it is not going
o benefit others on the list.  In this case, send your response
rivately to the person who sent the posting you are replying to.  An
xample of this is if one writes to ask if anyone knows of the
hereabouts of a friend he or she would like to contact.  Obviously,
here is no need to send the friends phone number to Gambia-L.
In the same vein, do not send private replies to Gambia-L without the
onsent of people who sent them to you.  If some one sends you
nformation, it is safe to assume that they meant it for your eyes
nly, and it would be polite to seek their permission before sending
t to Gambia-L.
Replying to Gambia-L can be a potential source of embarrassment.  The
ist is set up such that if you press the reply button of your e-mail
rogram, it's going to send your reply to Gambia-L.  Thus, make sure
hat e-mail you are sending is going to where you think you want them
o before you press that send button.
therwise, you'll find all of Gambia-L being privy to what you thought
ere strictly between you and the person you wanted to send your
-mail to.
It is common courtesy and professional to sign your postings.  This is
specially important given that you can use almost anything as your
sername and e-mail address, rather than your real name in e-mail
essages.  For
xample, if your e-mail address is [log in to unmask] how would anyone
now that your postings are from Lamin Sanneh of Juffureh if you don't
ell them?
Besides your name, your signature can also include other information
uch as your address and phone number.  It might even include what's
alled ASCII art, an art form that uses characters and numbers to draw
ictures.  Whatever you want to include in your signature, please keep
t short (5 to 6 lines), and do not include any blatant advertising of
ommercial products and/or services. It's just plain bad taste.
Try limiting the number of questions you ask in a posting to one or
wo.  This is for the simple reason that it's a lot easier to deal
ith one issue at a time given the large number of subscribers on
ambia-L.  The practice of
imiting the number of questions you ask per posting not only saves
ou trouble, but also makes it easier for subscribers to follow the
rogress of debates on the list.
Still on the issue of asking questions, it is also good citizenship to
ummarize responses to a question and send it back to the list.  For
xample, if I ask about choosing a school for my child, it would be
reat if I summarize
ll responses I received to the question and post it on the list.
his will not only provide a neat synopsis of what the responses were,
ut it would also foster a spirit of cooperation and collaboration on
he list.  And that's what
t's all about in the first place.
No matter what, DO NOT ever, ever post "Me too" or "I agree" type
essages to the list. If you agree with what someone says, please
eply to him or her in person, and not send out a two-word message to
he list.  This practice is especially annoying if you quote the
riginal message you are replying to, only to add, "I agree" at the
nd of it.  And it's not enough to say, "I disagree" either.  If you
isagree with the contents of a posting, you should elaborate, to keep
he discussion going.
People sometimes ask questions that have been answered before on the
ist. This might be because they joined after the question was asked,
r simply forgot.  Such questions should be answered in private, or
eft to less busy people to deal with.  Don't worry about the question
oing un-answered because the person asking it will repost it in the
vent no one answers it.  If the same person asks it a second time
ecause no one answered it the first time, send the poor fellow a
eply to his or her e-mail address.
Gambia-L is not for chain letters.  Please save us the trouble and
efrain from sending chain letters to the list.  Obviously, you can
end petitions for to raise funds for charitable and philanthropic
auses and the like, given that Gambia-L is for helping Gambian
rogress.  If you have chain letters that you think are interesting,
lease send them to your friends, and not to Gambia-L.
f you must inform us, you can post a brief description of it and ask
eople to request that you send them copies of it privately.
With regards law, never post copyrighted material on Gambia-L, unless
ou have permission from the copyright owner to do so.  Although it is
ommon occurrence to find copyrighted material being distributed at
ill on the Internet, Gambia-L cannot afford to openly flout laws that
egulate these issues.  ICORS is hosting us on the understanding that
ur list will not be a forum for people to break laws.
If you really want to inform people about material that's copyrighted,
he best thing to do would be to send the Web address of the
ublication or information and Gambia-L subscribers can then visit the
eb site on their own to access the information
LIST MANAGEMENT
olunteers manage gambia-L.  Gambia-L managers are responsible for
ubscribing new members, and helping them make the best of the
acilities offered by the list.  They should be contacted if you have
ny problems with your subscriptions.  But before you contact them,
lease make sure that your problems are not originating from your
-mail provider but from Gambia-L server.
The following are the current people responsible for the management of Gambia-L.
List Managers:
bdoulie Jallow (BambaLaye) <[log in to unmask]>
amin Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
usman Ceesay <[log in to unmask]>
aruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>

ll the List Managers will receive mails sent to:
[log in to unmask]
Important references:
ambia-L is run on LISTSERV 1.8d software and the online manuals can
e found at:
ttp://www.lsoft.com/info/default.asp?item=manuals
An interesting manual for you to read there is General User's Guide to
ISTSERV® 1.8c
ttp://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8d/userindex.html
Thank you for reading.
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o unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web 
nterface
t: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
o contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
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¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html

To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
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