|
List Serve The Quantitative
MR List Serve is hosted by the ISMRM. A list serve or list serv is a
simple system that allows persons with like or similar interests to actively
communicate with one another via e-mail. The list serve works by
distributing all messages sent to it to all subscribers of the list.
Responses can be made back directly to the specific person who posed the
questions or to the whole list allowing everyone to benefit from the
answers. The Quantitative MR List Serve is a closed list designed
specifically for issues and topics related to Quantitative MRI.
General Guidelines to E-Communication Etiquette Be Polite and Think
Before You Send This is the single most important caveat to remember
when composing e-mail. Because e-mail is so simple and quick, it's easy to
respond without thinking a great deal about what you intend to say. Avoid
the mistake of replying hastily and less politely than you would say in
face-to-face conversation or on the telephone--when you probably would take
a moment to consider what you want to say. Remember, you want to achieve a
certain effect with an e-mail message, just as you do with any form of human
communication. Don't be fooled by the ease of firing off a message
electronically! That message still represents you to your recipient, and it
should represent you well.
Capital Letters: Avoid typing your messages in all capital letters
because IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE SHOUTING! Most people find this very
irritating. Using all lowercase letters is not viewed quite so
disparagingly, but many e-mail users dislike this technique as much as all
caps. Professionalism: As in all correspondence, professionalism needs to be
reflected for ourselves as well as our organization. Efficiency: E-mails
that are directed to the correct individual, that are to the point, and
properly worded are more efficient and more likely to receive a response.
E-Mail Etiquette Tips
| |
• Subject Lines. Use the subject line to help
the receiver quickly identify what is being sent. With the volume of e-mails
that we all receive, being able to scan subject lines quickly helps us
determine which messages may be a higher priority and need immediate
attention.
• Be Concise. Don't make the message longer than it needs to be.
Match your message length to the essence of the communication. If it's a
quick query, keep it short and to the point.
• Format. Keep to plain,
straight running text. Many e-mail programs can't interpret special
formatting in messages and can cause problems. Just because you can doesn't
mean you should.
• Proper Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation. This should go
without saying. Take the time to read the message before it is sent. Don't
write in capitals – remember it is commonly interpreted as yelling. Keep the
punctuation useful.
• Be Courteous. E-mail is all about communication, so
use some basic courtesy. If you're asking for something, it never hurts to
say please. Similarly, if someone has done something for you, it is nice to
follow with a thank you. E-mail seems less formal and some people also feel
it is ok to be abrupt, short and sometimes rude. If you wouldn't say it to
their face, don't put it in an e-mail
• Use signatures. This is just another
form of communication so complete your message with your “signature” that
states name, title, organization, and contact information to appropriately
identify yourself. " This also helps people get in touch directly for
specific issues and prevents going backward through lots of e-mails looking
for contact information.
• You can send a note to the list requesting that
you receive messages in a Digest Mode format. This is if you want list
messages grouped to show up in your mailbox twice a day versus showing up in
real-time. |
Other Points to Consider E-mail messages are public records. Don't be
fooled by the illusion of privacy even on a “closed” list. Don't commit
anything to e-mail that you wouldn't want to become public knowledge. With
that said, messages posted on the Quantitative MR List Serve should not be
forwarded or copied to anyone outside the list without the author’s
permission. The exception is if the author specifically states that the
information may be used outside the list server.
Be careful with your use of humor and sarcasm. The reader might not
understand your intention. What is humorous to you may be offensive to
others. Use labels, explanatory notes, or emoticons to alert the recipient
that a message is meant to be taken humorously. Facial expressions, voice
inflection and other cues that help recipients to interpret a message are
absent from e-mail. Keep in mind that the Quantitative MR List Serve has
members from more than one country. Don't assume that everyone will
understand a reference to TV, movies, pop culture, or current events in your
country. If you must use the reference, please explain it.
Avoid sending e-mail in anger or as an emotional response. It is best not to
send these kinds of messages over e-mail. Such situations are better worked
out in person or in another forum. If you are caught in an argument or
disagreement, keep the discussion focused on issues rather than the
personalities involved. If you receive a message or posting that generates
negative feelings, set it aside and read it later. An immediate response is
often a hasty response. Re-read your e-mail for content and tone before you
send it to the list. Don’t rule out the possibility that a misunderstanding
or misinterpretation might occur. It is common with e-mail because of the
lack of physical cues.
Disagreement with one person If you should find yourself in a disagreement
with one person, make your responses to each other via individual e-mail
rather than continue to send messages to the list or the group. If you are
debating a point on which the group might have some interest, you may
summarize for them later.
Don't over-distribute e-mail. Every message you send creates work for
someone else who must read, consider, and deal with the message. Take the
time to edit any quotations down to the minimum necessary to provide context
for your reply. Nobody likes reading a long message in quotes for the third
or fourth time, only to be followed by a one line response: "Yeah, me too."
When replying to a posted message, check the e-mail address to be certain
it's going to the intended location (person). It can be very embarrassing if
they reply incorrectly and post a personal message to the entire list serve
that was intended for an individual.
Be brief and to the point Messages and articles should be brief and to the
point. Don't wander off-topic, don't ramble, and don't send e-mail or post
messages solely to point out other people's errors in typing or spelling.
• The Quantitative MR List Server is hosted by the ISMRM.
http://www.ismrm.org/
• To
subscribe to the Quantitative MR List Server, just fill out the
online form.
• To change your email address or
halt participation in this listserv, please contact:
QuantMRlist@ismrm.org
• For
instructions on how to use this list, please go to
http://www.ismrm.org/aboutlists.htm
• You can send a note to the
list requesting that you receive messages in a Digest Mode format. You can
decide that you want list messages to show up in your mailbox all at once,
once a day or twice a day.
• List serve members can review the archives for
previous and current posts.
To gain access to the Quantitative MR List Serve
Archives:
| |
1) Send an email from the e-mail address you have registered with this list
serve to:
QuantMRlist-confirm@ismrm.org
You will receive an automated email back with a confirmation ID number in
the subject line of the email, as well as some nonessential language in the
email itself, though it will repeat the confirmation ID number.
2) Then when you go to
http://mailserver.ismrm.org:8100/Lists/QuantMRList/List.html
You will be prompted for a user name and password. It should be as follows:
|
|
| |
User Name: Your email address
Password: The confirmation ID number
|
|
| |
This will allow you into the archives.
|
|
• The Quantitative MR List Server will be monitored by a member of the AdHoc
Committee on a rotating basis for compliance with the guidelines above. The
schedule for monitoring is TBD.
• Any specific questions or issues with the Quantitative MR List Serve,
please contact Sally Moran, Director of Electronic Communications, ISMRM at
the following e-mail address:
Sally@ismrm.org
In summary, we hope this list will be helpful to those interested in
Quantitative MRI. But, please keep in mind that the focus of the list is to
share information specific to MRI. Posts and responses that are not directly
related to this mission should not be sent to the list. If you wish to
respond individually, that is your choice. The leadership addresses any
inappropriate posts off-list. Please keep your questions and comments
relevant to the focus of MRI scanning related topics. Happy listing!
Thanks to Jennifer Olson, Associate Executive Director, ISMRM; and Sally
Moran, Director of Electronic Communications, ISMRM for their contributions
to this article.
Call out: …use some basic courtesy. If you're asking for something, it never
hurts to say please. Similarly, if someone has done something for you, it is
nice to follow with a thank you. |
