If you have a question about goats, subscribe to one of these lists, and then post your question. Your question usually will be answered by an experienced goat owner! Joining one or more of these lists is an excellent way to learn more about goats.
Practical Goats
I have created an electronic mail mailing list, Practical-Goats, for new goat owners to discuss goats, and everything related to their care. To subscribe, please either visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/practical-goats or send a blank e-mail message to practical-goats-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please e-mail me if you have difficulties.
For more experienced goat owners, Goats is an excellent high-traffic list. To subscribe, send a message to: listproc@listproc.wsu.edu In the body of your message, type subscribe GOATS Your Name as the only text of the message.
For the more humorous side of goat keeping, Goatslite is an excellent high-traffic list. Visit this link to subscribe, then scroll down to the "join gl", add your info (you don't need to put in a password) and you will be subscribed!
While e-mail discussion groups range from controversial topics, such as politics, to more agreeable topics, such as departmental news lists, the basic netiquette rules for all lists is generally the same. Following netiquette avoids unnecessary "flame wars," which are simply people sending e-mail messages attacking other people. Here are a few good tips to keep in mind:
Avoid writing in all capital letters. This gives the appearance that you are SHOUTING! The use of capital letters to give emphasis to certain words may be acceptable.
Avoid saying something in e-mail that you would not say in person.
If you disagree with someone, consider discussing the issue with them privately, and not over the whole list.
Try not to discuss controversial topics, like "Macs are better than IBM's" or "dogs are better than cats."
Remember that someone receiving an e-mail message cannot see the person making a comment. Thus, humorous comments must be obviously humorous, or someone may take the comment the wrong way.