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You will now begin receiving Flexus list server postings.
Please remember that the list server is somewhat public. Many of our customers have already subscribed, so your comments will be read by a large number of people.
Here is more information and the rules of conduct:
THE FLEXUS LIST SERVER
Flexus now supports an e-mail list server. This is an excellent method for our customers to exchange ideas, suggestions, tips, techniques and support. It's the next best thing to an actual user group, because it fosters communications between our customers.
WHAT IS A LIST SERVER?
The function of an e-mail list server is to allow an individual to send an e-mail message to a single e-mail address for the purpose of broadcasting the message to a group of individuals who share a common interest. The list server will then automatically duplicate this message and forward it to ALL subscribers of the list. In our case, the list will be those individuals who have purchased one or more of our products.
This means that everyone who chooses to subscribe to the list may see a dramatic increase in the number of e-mail messages received on a daily basis. It obviously depends upon the volume of postings and replies. If you do NOT want to see other customer/distributor list server mail messages, then do NOT subscribe.
WHAT IF THERE ARE TOO MANY LIST SERVER MESSAGES AND THEY CLOG MY INBOX?
One way to alleviate the influx of new messages is to set up a filter in your e-mail software. Most e-mail programs allow you to filter incoming messages. If you want to have more control over the list server messages, we suggest that you set up a separate mailbox in your e-mail software and establish a filter which routes all incoming list server messages to the new mailbox. You can then peruse the list server messages periodically as your schedule permits.
If you wish to do this, the filter should be set up so that all incoming messages from cobol@flexus.us be re-routed to the new mailbox. In other words, set up your filter to search for e-mail messages in which the "TO:" field contains cobol@flexus.us.
You may also set your subscription option to receive a daily digest of list server postings.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO ME?
The list server will allow us to broadcast advice, suggestions, messages to the customer base as well as allow our customers to ask for and receive assistance from each other. It also allows our customers to provide feedback to us on various enhancements and bug reports. We will gladly accept both positive as well as negative feedback, but strongly encourage you to use good judgment in ALL messages posted to the list server.
SENDING ATTACHMENTS VIA THE LIST SERVER
Additionally, customers can send attachments to the subscribers on the list...BUT PLEASE UTILIZE GOOD JUDGMENT!!! Please do NOT send huge file attachments.
If you have a large file which you think will be useful for others to see, PLEASE notify me and I will place it in a common directory on our ftp server so that everyone can have access to it.
WHAT IF I WANT TO SEND PRIVATE E-MAIL TO FLEXUS?
The list server does NOT prevent you from sending a private e-mail message. If you have questions, you will still be able to freely send private e-mail message to any of the following addresses:
Technical Support Messages:
thane at flexus dot com
techsupport at flexus dot com
Sales:
info at flexus dot com
rtwolfe at flexus dot com
Accounting and Administration:
carol at flexus dot com
Change of Address or E-mail:
tracey at flexus dot com
CAN ANYONE SEND MESSAGES TO OR RECEIVE MESSAGES FROM THE FLEXUS LIST SERVER?
This mailing list is a CLOSED mailing list to Flexus customers who are current on maintenance. This means that only subscribers under maintenance will be able to send mail to or receive mail from the list. All list administration will be done by Bob Wolfe rtwolfe at flexus dot com. This means for anyone to subscribe to the list, the request to subscribe *must* be approved by Bob Wolfe at Flexus.
List subscribers may be customers or distribution agents. One requirement for maintaining your subscription to the list is that you must be current on maintenance or hold a support contract with flexus or a flexus product distributor. Those who choose not to renew maintenance or do not have a current support contract, will be automatically unsubscribed from the list.
HOW DO I UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THE LIST SERVER?
If you wish to unsubscribe from the list, please follow the subscription maintenance instructions at the bottom of any list server message received.
RULES OF CONDUCT ON THE FLEXUS LIST SERVER
Yes, there will be rules of conduct and they WILL be enforced. This list server is being supported by flexus to assist our customer base and obtain feedback so that we can serve our customers better.
Feedback refers to both positive AS WELL AS negative comments regarding our products, however, we do expect our customer base to conduct themselves in a professional manner when posting to the list server. Here are a set of rules which are not necessarily an exhaustive set of rules. Flexus reserves the right to remove any customer from the list server at any time for any reason. Customers who conduct themselves appropriately and professionally will not be removed from the list server unless they fail to renew their annual maintenance or support contract.
The List Server is for the purpose of:
1. Free exchange of ideas on COBOL related topics and Flexus product related issues.
2. Postings involving suggestions, advice and opinions on COBOL related topics and the use of Flexus products.
3. Request for consulting services and offers of employment are acceptable so long as the individual who posts the message also posts the location of services/employment and the amount of remuneration for said services or employment.
4. Advice to Flexus on enhancements to consider as well as constructive criticism on suspected bugs or missing features in any Flexus product.
POSTINGS WHICH WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
The following postings will not be tolerated and WILL result in the automatic and immediate removal of the individual who posts the message:
1. Inappropriate textual content in postings. This may include offensive language, off-color jokes, insults, name-calling, ethnic or racial slurs or anything else which the administrator deems to be inappropriate to the purpose of the list server. If two or more parties wishes to engage in such behavior, it must be conducted via private e-mail.
2. Inappropriate attachments to postings. This may include attachments which include offensive language, offensive photographs or graphic images, off-color jokes, insults, name-calling, ethnic or racial slurs or anything else which the administrator deems to be inappropriate to the purpose of the list server. If two or more parties wishes to send such attachments, they must be sent via private e-mail.
3. Arguments. Disagreements are not only acceptable, but anticipated. Disagreements are never a problem so long as the parties conduct their discussion in a manner which is deemed by the administrator to be polite and professional. If two or more parties wish to argue a particular point, those parties should do so via private e-mail.
4. Criticism which is not constructive to the purpose of the list server. While it is perfectly acceptable to disagree and to offer constructive criticism, it must remain professional at all times. This includes discussions of flexus products as well as compilers and even products which are competitive to flexus products. It is intended that the discussion in this list server be conducted with the utmost of professionalism.
Playful joking, witticism's, repartee and friendly, good-natured "ribbing" is actually encouraged in this list server, however, because of the impersonal nature of electronic mail, flexus strongly recommends that those posting such banter to the list server make it very obvious when they are joking. This can be accomplished with an emoticon (smiley) or an indication such as "g" or "grin" after the humor.
Welcome to the Flexus List Server! We hope that it will help you get more out of our products as well as assist you with your COBOL programming activities in general!
To see the collection of prior postings to the list,
visit the Cobol
Archives.
(The current archive is only available to the list
members.)
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Subscribe to Cobol by filling out the following
form.
You will be sent email requesting confirmation, to
prevent others from gratuitously subscribing you. Once
confirmation is received, your request will be held for approval
by the list moderator. You will be notified of the moderator's
decision by email. This is also a hidden list, which means that the
list of members is available only to the list administrator.
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