List Members FAQ

WHAT'S THE CAPS LOCK BUTTON FOR?

(aka Why does everyone say I'm shouting at them?)

Because we can't actually see each other in email, loose standards aka "netiquette" have evolved to demonstrate emotion in words. One of those ways is type in all caps, that's considered shouting. So if someone wants to really make a point, raise their voice in email, they type a word or a sentence in all caps.

But it's also something that "newbies" do, people who are new to computers, the internet, email lists, etc. tend to hit that caps lock button and just keep typing. So turn off the caps lock and either properly capitalize your words or type all in lowercase, better to do that than go off yelling at everyone on the net! :)

For further info on netiquette, check out the ten courtesies at the Online Netiquette website.