Discussion: View Thread

This issue has been raised before because some members have been annoyed that they get barraged with so many postings from the eGroup that they are not interested in.  I raise it again because today I got a personal admonishment from one member that I am inconsiderate by making posts to the eGroup that should go to a particular individual.  In my defense I don't think I really do that evry much and several members have complimented me on my posts.  So I think there is usually general interest.  Also I think these members have remedies at their disposal if they don't want to get some of these email.  I am sure that I am irritating some of them even further by starting this post.  But i do think it is a problem for very active eGroups such as ours and so I raise it anyway.

I agree that there is an option to send a message only to the individual that you are responding to.  Also we should exercise that option when it is clear that it is very specific to that individual and would not benefit others.  However there is also a gray area where the message could be of interest to others.  I prefer to err on the side of being informative.

I am a busy person too and I don't like "junk" email either.  Also I belong to several eGroups and don't feel that I get a lot of annoying emails.  I tend to do a quick read and then delete even for some that interest me and for other that make me think of a reason to respond, I respond and sometimes my response can be lengthy.

Let's all be considerate, but those complaining have other options that we have previously discussed and they should use them rather than rudely tell us that we are being rude.

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Michael Chernick
Director of Biostatistical Services
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
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It is so easy to sort messages and delete them. At first I was annoyed by getting a flood of emails, but now I just sort by subject or sender and delete, or, if I want to peruse them later, I save them to a folder. 

I believe that the interesting and useful content is worth the small bother of managing the flow.  

Best wishes,

Nayak

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Nayak Polissar
Consultant
The Mountain Whisper Light
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I agree with Nayak, keep the message coming. 

Thank you to all our contributors,

 Michele Millar
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Anne Michele Millar
Associate Professor
Mount Saint Vincent University
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2011 16:03
From: Nayak Polissar
Subject: etiquette with postingd

It is so easy to sort messages and delete them. At first I was annoyed by getting a flood of emails, but now I just sort by subject or sender and delete, or, if I want to peruse them later, I save them to a folder. 

I believe that the interesting and useful content is worth the small bother of managing the flow.  

Best wishes,

Nayak

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Nayak Polissar
Consultant
The Mountain Whisper Light
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I personally enjoy everyone comments and like others have said, my little pinky can hit the delete key at the speed of light.  I particularly like Michael's comments - it's quite impressive for him to take the time to put together well thought out e-mails.  I think the most important etiquette is not to critisize others. No question is stupid and no reply should be critisized.

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Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
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I can't thank all of you enough for the valuable information you share!  I admit I am a lurker, but I certainly take these emails seriously.  As an early career consultant, your collective advice is invaluable and a major reason why I maintain my ASA membership!

It's good to know I have this precious resource if I am ever in a bind.  Added benefit:  If I ever have a question, I know if I ask for your help, I am potentially helping someone who may have a similar problem in the future.

Keep them coming, have great evenings!

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Marylee Demeter
Adjunct Professor, Research Consultant
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2011 17:39
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: etiquette with postingd

I personally enjoy everyone comments and like others have said, my little pinky can hit the delete key at the speed of light.  I particularly like Michael's comments - it's quite impressive for him to take the time to put together well thought out e-mails.  I think the most important etiquette is not to critisize others. No question is stupid and no reply should be critisized.

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Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
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I left graduate school right after completing preliminary exams, and completed my doctoral work several (read: "many") years later.  As a result, I did not have the benefit of enjoying mentoring from many of the distinguished professors in my department.  Through most of my career, I have been the "lone ranger" in places where I have worked.  I am profooundly grateful for this forum, where I have been able to benefit from the collective wisdon of the various posters.  I particularly appreciate the precise, carefully crafted responses from posters like Machael, who take seriously their responsibility when sharing with others here.  This forum would greatly diminish in value for me if that were to change significantly.

I clearly do not read these daily (or I would've responded sooner), but it is great to have access to all of the discussion aroound a topic.  When the topic is not of interest to me, I simply do not read them at all.

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James Gear
Senior Statistician
Midwest Employers Casualty Company
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Hello All, I would like to second the response that James provided in his email.....although sometimes it is a lot of emails, I too am isolated and benefit immensely from the thoughtful and insightful responses from the group.  If the topic is not of interest, I just do not read the emails. 

Thank you, Andrea

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Andrea Crumpacker
Environmental Statistician
Weston Solutions
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-04-2011 16:43
From: James Gear
Subject: etiquette with postingd

I left graduate school right after completing preliminary exams, and completed my doctoral work several (read: "many") years later.  As a result, I did not have the benefit of enjoying mentoring from many of the distinguished professors in my department.  Through most of my career, I have been the "lone ranger" in places where I have worked.  I am profooundly grateful for this forum, where I have been able to benefit from the collective wisdon of the various posters.  I particularly appreciate the precise, carefully crafted responses from posters like Machael, who take seriously their responsibility when sharing with others here.  This forum would greatly diminish in value for me if that were to change significantly.

I clearly do not read these daily (or I would've responded sooner), but it is great to have access to all of the discussion aroound a topic.  When the topic is not of interest to me, I simply do not read them at all.

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James Gear
Senior Statistician
Midwest Employers Casualty Company
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I want to thank the silent majority for speaking up and supporting what I am doing.  It gives me comfort to feel that I am doing the right thing that is best for the group even if it does bother a few individuals. I think maybe the private attacks will subside for a while.  Anyway, I think that is enough for this thread.  Let's put it to bed.  We know what is the proper etiquette.  Let's get back to discussing substantive matters.

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Michael Chernick
Director of Biostatistical Services
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-04-2011 16:47
From: Andrea Crumpacker
Subject: etiquette with postingd


Hello All, I would like to second the response that James provided in his email.....although sometimes it is a lot of emails, I too am isolated and benefit immensely from the thoughtful and insightful responses from the group.  If the topic is not of interest, I just do not read the emails. 

Thank you, Andrea

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Andrea Crumpacker
Environmental Statistician
Weston Solutions
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J. Dobbins
Delmarva Foundation
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I agree with the gentleman below. This is a valuable and unique opportunity.

Michael's comments and those of others are always of interest and when I see
a topic that applies to me especially,  I make a mail subfolder under the Stat Consult. Section
folder. 

For example, there was the topic of estimating p the proportion in situations where
the number of success in the sample  is  very low or very large. The first time I ran into that one, years ago
I was very puzzled.  Slowly I worked it out but was very interested to see the variety of
approaches from those more intensely trained near this area of estimation.

The only suggestion I would make is if there could be some easier way to classify things. Like
always in bold capital letters put the subject on the subject line of the email so it is easy to
remember if you go back looking for it and vaguely remember 5 months later that some one said
something you could use but now you can't find it.  This may already be done most of the time but
somehow it I end up opening up the email to see what it is about.



Greg Dobbins
also often a Lone Ranger





Original Message:
Sent: 10-04-2011 16:43
From: James Gear
Subject: etiquette with postingd

I left graduate school right after completing preliminary exams, and completed my doctoral work several (read: "many") years later.  As a result, I did not have the benefit of enjoying mentoring from many of the distinguished professors in my department.  Through most of my career, I have been the "lone ranger" in places where I have worked.  I am profooundly grateful for this forum, where I have been able to benefit from the collective wisdon of the various posters.  I particularly appreciate the precise, carefully crafted responses from posters like Machael, who take seriously their responsibility when sharing with others here.  This forum would greatly diminish in value for me if that were to change significantly.

I clearly do not read these daily (or I would've responded sooner), but it is great to have access to all of the discussion aroound a topic.  When the topic is not of interest to me, I simply do not read them at all.

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James Gear
Senior Statistician
Midwest Employers Casualty Company
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