FAQ: TCM List Questions

The Creative Mind
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Subscription Questions
1.1 How do I join the list?
1.1.a I just joined the list; what should I do next?
1.2 How do I leave the list?
1.3 How do I post to the list?
1.4 How do I reply to a post privately versus publicly?
1.5 How do I read the list archives?
1.6 What are the subscription options?
1.6.a How do I change my subscription options?
1.7 How do I change the e-mail address by which I am subscribed to the list?
1.8 What is Yahoo! Groups?
1.8.a Why should I register with Yahoo! Groups?
1.8.b How do I register with Yahoo! Groups?
1.8.c Where can I find more information on Yahoo! Groups?

2. Membership Questions
2.1 Who may become a member of The Creative Mind?
2.2 What are the privileges and responsibilities of membership?
2.2.a Privileges
2.2.b Responsibilities and Netiquette
2.3 Where can I find the membership listing?
2.4 How can I get my web site listed on The Creative Mind web site?
2.5 How can I let people know that I am a TCM Member?
2.6 How can I help spread the word about TCM?

3. Web Site Questions
3.1 Where is The Creative Mind web site?
3.2 What is available on the TCM web site?
3.3 How can I link to the TCM web site?

4. General Questions About the List
4.1 What is the TCM List?
4.1.a What topics can be discussed on the TCM List?
4.2 What is the purpose of the TCM List?
4.3 How did the TCM List come into existence?
4.4 Who manages the TCM List?
4.5 Who hosts the TCM List?
4.6 What are the future plans for the TCM List?
4.7 What's the deal with all these theme requests?

1. Subscription Questions

1.1 How do I join the list?

Three ways to join:

• Go to the list homepage at http://www.the-creative-mind.net/ and enter your e-mail address in the subscription form.
• Send a blank e-mail to The_Creative_Mind-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
• If all else fails, e-mail the list manager at The_Creative_Mind-owner@yahoogroups.com

1.1.a I just joined the list; what should I do next?

Basically, you have two options: A) Lurk or B) Post. Lurking means reading the list messages for a while without posting to the list. This will give you an opportunity to find out what the list is all about, what's currently being discussed, what the list members are like, and to get comfortable with the list before participating in it. If you're not the patient type, you can TURBO-LURK by going to the list archives and reading the past messages. In a few hours' time, you could be caught up on months of list activity! See 1.5 for information on the list archives.

When you're ready to post (and it is advised that if you post without lurking, you should at least read the whole FAQ first to get a feel for the list), send your first message to the list (see 1.3) and introduce yourself to us! Some things you might want to include: your name, biographical information (age, occupation, etc.), interests, and most importantly, the desktop themes you've made (if you are a theme creator--if not, let us know what some of your favorite themes are) and your web site if you have one).

1.2 How do I leave the list?

Send a blank e-mail to The_Creative_Mind-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . If you have difficulty with this method, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/ and go to My Groups; go to The Creative Mind area, and then click "Unsubscribe." If this fails, make sure that you are unsubscribing the e-mail address by which you subscribed to the list. As a last resort, you can e-mail one of the List Managers and ask to be removed from the list manually.

1.3 How do I post to the list?

Send your posts to the list address: The_Creative_Mind@yahoogroups.com

1.4 How do I reply to a post privately versus publicly?

The listserver is set up so that when you reply to a [The Creative Mind] message, the reply is addressed to the list address at The_Creative_Mind@yahoogroups.com . If you want your reply to go to the author of the post instead of the entire list, copy the author's e-mail address from the header of the post to which you are replying, and paste it into the "To:" field of your new message. The process for doing this will vary according to your e-mail software but should be fairly simple.

1.5 How do I read the list archives?

Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Creative_Mind/messages . From here, you can read the most recent messages, search the archives, view the messages from a certain month, see the top posting authors or the most recently posted URLs, and more. You can also post to the list from this website, if you are registered with Yahoo! Groups (see 1.8).

1.6 What are the subscription options?

You can receive list messages as individual e-mails; you can read all the messages on the Web from http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Creative_Mind/ , or you can receive a daily full-text digest which compiles all the messages of the day for you to read in one e-mail.

1.6.a How do I change my subscription options?

Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/ . If you are not registered with Yahoo! Groups, you will need to register first (see 1.8). If you are registered, enter your e-mail address and password when asked. You should then be at the "My Groups" page (if not, click on "My Groups" to get there). Click on "The Creative Mind" in the list of groups to which you are subscribed, and you will be taken to the the_creative_mind list center. Next, click on "Modify Subscription." In the drop-down list next to "Delivery Mode," select the option you want, then click "Apply Changes."

1.7 How do I change the e-mail address by which I am subscribedto the list?

The only way to do this is to subscribe the new address and unsubscribe the old address. First, send a blank message from the new address to The_Creative_Mind-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . You should receive a confirmation message from Yahoo! Groups. Reply to this message to activate the new subscription. Next, send a blank message from the old address to The_Creative_Mind-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . This will unsubscribe your old address so that you are only subscribed by your new address.

1.8 What is Yahoo! Groups?

Yahoo! Groups is a service which hosts e-mail discussion lists such as TCM. In the opinion of your list manager, it is a very powerful, full-featured and user-friendly service. Subscription and unsubscription are automated; lists can be fully moderated; and every list is completely archived on its Yahoo! Groups web site. Yahoo! Groups is an advertisement-sponsored service (so that lists like this are free to their owners and members), so you will see a brief advertisement at the bottom of most list messages.

1.8.a Why should I register with Yahoo! Groups?

In order to make use of some of Yahoo! Groups' advanced features on the Web, you need to register with Yahoo! Groups for a password so that your e-mail address can be verified. You do not need to register with Yahoo! Groups in order to subscribe to the list or read the list archives, but if you want to post messages from the Web, change your subscription options, create a member profile, or participate in the list's polls, you need to register.

1.8.b How do I register with Yahoo! Groups?

To register, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/ and when it asks you to sign in, click on REGISTER to set up your account. You will be asked for your e-mail address, after which you should receive an e-mail with your validation number. Use this number to finish the registration process and set up your password. If you have problems, try again later...sometimes Yahoo! Groups gets too busy, or something, and doesn't create the accounts properly.

1.8.c Where can I find more information on Yahoo! Groups?

Yahoo! Groups has its own FAQs at http://help.yahoo.com/help/groups/ , or if your question isn't answered there, e-mail support@yahoogroups.com .

2.1 Who may become a member of the TCM?

Membership is essentially open to anyone with an e-mail address. However, the intended audience of the list is A) those who make desktop enhancements and B) those who don't make them, but enjoy downloading them for their own computers. Basically, if you have any interest at all in desktop enhancements, especially if you want to learn more about making them, this is the list for you!

2.2 What are the privileges and responsibilities of membership?

TCM is more than a mailing list; it is a community of desktop enhancement people who are here for each other, with the common goal of making the best desktop enhancements we can. As in any community, there are both responsibilities and privileges for members to be aware of.

2.2.a Privileges

First and foremost, TCM members are privileged to have access to some of the best advice on the Internet, free of charge! Other privileges:

• Members may have their web sites listed at the TCM web site.
• Members may promote their web sites by joining the TCM Web Ring.
• Members have access to the useful features of the at Yahoo! Groups.com.
• Members may participate in special programs like the TCM Showcases.
• Members may participate in polls to vote on the best resources for enhancement creation.

TCM Bill of Rights:

• Every TCM member has a right to post to the list without fear of flaming and with the expectation that he can learn from the experience of other members.
• Every TCM member has a right to give his opinion, in a way not intended to offend or hurt others who read his opinion, and to be accepted by the members of the list even when they disagree with his opinion.
• Every TCM member has a right to find the Internet's best resources for theme creation and use through this list and its web site.
• Every TCM member has a right to learn and grow from his time on this list, so that he can produce the best desktop enhancements he is able!

2.2.b Responsibilities and Netiquette

In order to preserve the rights and privileges of membership, some responsibilities must also be met.

Every TCM member has a responsibility to observe the Netiquette guidelines of the list:

• FLAMING: It's fine to argue against someone's position on an issue, but DO NOT ATTACK THE INDIVIDUAL in your post. Please exercise respect and courtesy to all members of the list. You don't want to be flamed, so don't do it to someone else.
• PROFANITY: This is a general-audience forum - no age limit and no restrictions on who may join. As a result, you will find members from many different walks of life, and in such a situation it's easy to offend someone unintentionally. One easy way to avoid offense, however, is by avoiding profanity, so off-color language or what we sometimes call "inappropriate language" is not allowed on this list.
• CHIT-CHAT: We are a friendly bunch, and it's all too easy to get off topic and flood the list with messages that don't really have to do with enhancements. Many of the members of the list, however, do not have the time or the inbox capacity to handle the volume such chit-chat often causes or to sift through many irrelevant messages looking for the enhancement-related topics they joined the list for.
• QUOTING: When replying to a message, only quote the part of the original message that pertains to your post.
• ME TOO POSTS: If you agree with a post, it's fine to let the original author know--but send it privately to his e-mail, not to the whole list, unless you have something to add to the topic.
• FORWARDING: Don't forward a message to the list unless it has something to do with desktop enhancements and the original author of the post has granted permission to forward it.
• ATTACHMENTS: Don't attach a file to the list as some subscribers will have text-only e-mail and be unable to see the attachments. Also, send messages to the list in plain-text rather than HTML format.
• SUBJECT LINES: Use subject lines that are a good indicator of the content of your message. If you are replying to a post and the "Re:" subject line no longer corresponds to what's in your post, feel free to CHANGE IT!

The list policy for dealing with members who repeatedly break these rules is to place them on "probation" until they are ready to accept the responsibilities of  TCM  members. Probation means that the member's posts will be moderated by the list managers rather than going directly to the list as all other members' do. This is done so that posts which could potentially stir up trouble on the list will not reach the list; if a member on probation sends a message which does not break any list rules, it will be accepted for posting. Members may be placed on probation for the following reasons:

• Profanity
• Flaming
• Continually failing to follow netiquette such as mentioned above under CHIT-CHAT, QUOTING, ME TOO POSTS, FORWARDING, and SUBJECT LINES
• Repeatedly sending attachments to the list (i.e. even after being advised that attachments are not allowed)

If you feel that you have been wrongly placed on probation, please contact the List Managers. If you can agree to follow the guidelines for members' responsibilities as outlined above, you can be taken off probation.
There are also some things that are encouraged but not required. First, all members with a web site are encouraged to submit their site to be listed at the TCM web site (see 2.4) and to join the TCM Web Ring. Second, all members are encouraged to participate in the online polls by which we will determine the "Pick of the List" items to be posted on the list web site. Third, all members with a web site are encouraged to put the TCM Membership Badge on their site (see 2.5) and to spread the word about TCM in other ways as well (see 2.6). Finally, all members are encouraged to get involved! Post your questions, respond to others' posts, take part in the development of the TCM web site by contributing resources or FAQs, do whatever you can to make TCM the place to be for desktop enhancement authors online!

2.3 Where can I find the membership listing?

Go to the list archives at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Creative_Mind/messages and click on Members. To guard against "Spambots" that search web sites for e-mail addresses to add to spammers' lists, only a part of each member's e-mail address will be shown, but you can click on an address to see the member's profile (if he has made it public) and to send him an e-mail message.

2.4 How can I get my web site listed on the TCM web site?

Fill out the submission form or e-mail the list manager at kristine@legendarythemes.com with your site's name and URL. Include an 88x31 GIF button if you have one. If not, let me know if I should make one for your site or just use a text link. Members' sites are listed at http://www.the-creative-mind.net/members.shtml.

2.5 How can I let people know that I am a TCM Member?

Go to http://www.the-creative-mind.net/linktous.shtml and grab the Membership Badge GIF. Follow the directions on that page to put the Membership Badge on your site. If you don't have a web site, you could mention TCM in your e-mail signature, something like this:

I'm a member of the The Creative Mind
http://www.the-creative-mind.net

2.6 How can I help spread the word about TCM

Go to http://www.the-creative-mind.net/linktous.shtml and follow the instructions for adding a TCM banner or button link to your web site. If you don't like the buttons and banners offered, make one of your own (and e-mail it to the list manager at kristine@legendarythemes.com--I'd be happy to include list members' creations on the Links page!)

If you don't have a web site, try this in your e-mail signature:

Member of The Creative Mind
http://www.the-creative-mind.net/

Also, if you know others who are theme creators, feel free to invite them to join the list. Send them to the list homepage to subscribe, or give them the instructions in section 1.1 of this FAQ.

3.1 Where is the TCM web site?

The TCM web site is at http://www.the-creative-mind.net/

3.2 What is available on the TCM web site?

• Information about the list
• Subscription form
• Links to members' sites
• Link to list archives
• FAQs including this one
• Info about the list manager
• Request form--submit a request for a desktop enhancements, and it will be posted on the TCM list for anyone who's interested in making it
• RESOURCES--multimedia, tools and utilities, sites, and ftp archives to host your enhancements. In time, we hope to make the TCM web site the premier source for enhancement resources on the Internet.

3.3 How can I link to the TCM web site?

The URL to link to is http://www.the-creative-mind.net/ . If you want a graphical link, see section 2.6 of this FAQ.

4.1 What is the TCM List?

This is a discussion list designed for creators of desktop enhancements. The purpose of this list is to assist desktop enhancement creators in producing better creations. Discussion topics include, but are not limited to, issues with the multimedia (graphics, icons, cursors, sounds) of which a theme is composed, software available for creating or using themes, desktop theme ftp archives where authors may publish their themes, and desktop theme websites, screensavers, Hotbars, ICQ skins, Yahoo! skins, Messenger skins, wallpapers, including their creation and programs used in such.

Those who do not create enhancments, but use them and would like to find out more about enhancments, are also welcome on the list.

4.1.a What topics can be discussed on the TCM List?

Desktop enhancement creators, in general, are people interested in many kinds of graphics and many forms of desktop enhancement. As a result, on the list we often will discuss things other than themes. To keep the list from getting cluttered up with every topic under the sun, however, we've defined what is and is not "On-Topic" for TCM. Topics fall into three main areas:

Primary TCM Topics: These are the main reason TCM exists and should take up the majority of messages on the list.

• Enhancements: Creating (tools, web resources, tricks of the trade, etc.)
• Enhancements: Collecting (enhancement sites, new enhancement announcements, enhancement requests, etc.)
• Enhancement Components: Discussion of icons, cursors, wallpapers, sounds, screen savers, fonts, startup/shutdown logos, skins, wallpapers, stationery,webview graphics, etc. is acceptable.

Secondary TCM Topics: Enhancement authors often branch off into things of these natures, so discussion of them (both creating and collecting them) will be allowed on the list. It should never take up more space than the primary topics, however.

• Web Design: Since many theme authors also maintain web sites to feature their themes, discussion of web site creation and maintenance are appropriate for DTCC.
• Desktop Enhancement: Other forms of "desktop beautification," including but not limited to: ICQ skins, WinAmp skins, Neoplanet skins, HotBar and other skins for web browsers, Windowblinds and other programs for altering the look of the desktop or of applications.
• Other Graphics Topics: Outlook Express Stationery, Web Graphics, etc. are acceptable. If you want to discuss other kinds of graphics (i.e. not involving desktop enhancement) at greater length, you might want to look for other lists dedicated specifically to these topics.

Off-topic for TCM: It doesn't belong here.

• Anything not listed above, technically. :-) Actually, from time to time off-topic discussions will come up on the list and will be allowed...it's a natural result when so many people get to know each other so well!

4.2 What is the purpose of the TCM List?

The purpose of this list is to assist desktop enhancement creators in producing better enhancements. Our goal is to improve the general quality of enhancements found on the Internet, by offering enhancement authors a place to share their experiences and learn from one another--a forum in which we can perfect our art.

4.3 How did the TCM List come into existence?

The TCM list was created by Kristine Johnson-Bowles, the list manager, on April 21, 2001.

"I started this list because, as a desktop enhancement author, I looked for a long time for a forum such as this, where I could learn more about enhancement creation, but failed to find anything like it. So, after learning about the eGroups service, I created the TCM list to fill in this gap."

4.4 Who manages the TCM List?

There are now two managers of the list. These are the people who moderate messages that bounce, take care of subscription problems, and generally keep things running smoothly on the list.

• List owner  Kristine Johnson-Bowles of Legendary Themes
• Moderator Serenity of Serenity's Themes

4.5 Who hosts the TCM List?

Yahoo! Groups. See section 1.8 of this FAQ.

4.6 What are the future plans for the TCM List?

The number one plan for the TCM list is to continue to be a place where enhancement authors can discuss their craft and learn from one another.

Beyond that, the plans for the list largely involve the web site associated with it. We'd like to see the Resources section grow into a truly comprehensive and highly useful starting point for enhancement authors. We'd like to see our Enhancement Request feature become a point where enhancement creators and collectors can meet, where the enhancement user can get the enhancement he's been looking for and the enhancement creator can get inspiration for his next project. Most of all, we'd like to never again download an enhancement only to find that we just can't stand it--because we'd like to see the quality of enhancement all over the Internet increase greatly from the growth we all acquire from the TCM list.

4.7 What's the deal with all these enhancement requests?

At the TCM homepage (see 3.1), we have a Enhancement Request Form. Requests made by this form are sent to the List Manager (see 4.4), who forwards them to the list. These requests are a way for visitors to the site to find an enhancement that they haven't been able to locate anywhere else, and they are also a source of ideas for the enhancement creators on the list. When a list member creates a requested enhancement, he/she notifies the List Manager, who notifies the requester and posts the information on the Completed Requests page.

Original FAQ Layout by Rebecca Bush
Kristine Johnson-Bowles, List Owner
Serenity, List Moderator
The Creative Mind