First is that you probably shouldn't
call it "List Rules". It might be better to call it "Suggestions to ensure the
widest readership of your question or problem." This gets the goal across
nicely.
Amen - when I saw the subject "List Rules," it actually got my back up a bit. This is a community. It is certainly nice for people to be aware of and try to follow the community standards of behavior. However, calling them "rules" implies that there is a firm structure in place. Usually there are punitive consequences for breaking "rules." Anyone who claims to be the arbiter of, or the enforcer of "the rules" seems to me to be claiming authority that (s)he simply doesn't have.
I would certainly strive to follow the community standards, and I have no problems gently (preferably off list) pointing a community newcomer to a list of community preferences. But someone who pops off about violating "the rules" is likely to get an earful from me.
Thomas
