This columnist has participated in more than 100 different mailing lists over the past several years and currently subscribes to more than two dozen. Recently, I have started running two lists myself and consequently am having to deal with list-wide problems, mainly between individual subscribers and the rest of the list's participants. So I am taking this opportunity to send out a few reminders of what to do and not do when participating in an online discussion. Do not type everything in all capital letters.
Messages written in all caps also are difficult to read.
Don't request return receipts. Today's e-mail clients allow you to request return receipts. Don't use this feature. The recipient can always ignore your request and, when sending a message to a mailing list, you risk receiving hundreds of receipts. No attachments, please.