The ListServer, which has been running for a couple of decades at least, is a cornerstone of the UKAUG community.
Fundamentally, it’s just a 2-way mailing list. When you join the UKAUG (click here: Membership page) you will be added to the system (please note this is a manual process for now and will not be immediate). All emails sent to the list are forwarded onto each member; they will arrive in your inbox as from listserver[at]ukaug[dot]co[dot]uk (thus allowing you to use inbox rules to manage the traffic).
The principal purposes of the ListServer are:
- a self help group – there are many longstanding Access experts on board; if you have a problem then post a question to the group.
- news updates – we have several influential members of the Global Access Community on the list. As things change at Microsoft and the Access product, they help keep us up to date with those developments (subject to any NDA in force).
- management of the user group itself (news on meetings, conferences, etc).
- a community in it’s own right. Whilst respecting the primary purpose of the group, occasionally some members will post off-topic messages*.
We’re not really a rules based organisation, but we have reasonable guidelines to which we can refer if necessary:
- No selling is allowed via the ListServer, but buying is fine.
- No spam (well; durrrr)
- Unless it’s relevant to a discussion, please refrain from sharing memes etc.
- Third parties (other user groups, tools/utility providers etc) may promote to the list, but this should be sanctioned in advance by any of group organisers (Rod, Andrew, or Peter). Alternatively, you may ask any of these three to submit such content on your behalf (but please don’t ask us with just a few hours to go).
- All the usual stuff you’d expect – don’t be rude or swear, be kind etc etc.
- If in doubt – it’s probably fine, but feel free to ask us first.
- When you ask for help, you will likely get a better answer if you explain what you’ve already tried, and let us know the research you’ve already done.
- Lastly – no question is too stupid – we were all beginners once!
Finally – there is no archive of the ListServer. This is a deliberate decision to allow participants to write without concern for how the future world might view their contributions or technical skills. For this reason we have the The UKAUG Blog to retain group knowledge and understanding.
*if you want to post off-topic, and are unsure whether the content is OK, email us at: members (at) ukaug (dot) co (dot) uk to check with us first.