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SoapNatch Handbook
A guide to help you make the most out of our mailing list

• Related information: Soap Naturally Posting Guidelines

This "Handbook" is divided into three sections:

A) UNDER THE HOOD, for technical information on the mailing list software, and instructions to help you choose and maintain your membership options,

B) MOVING AROUND, for answers to common soapmaking questions, including how to find one's way around the Soap Naturally Website, and

C) SOAP AND THE ART OF LIVING IN A SLIPPERY WORLD, for a short description of what makes this list "tick".

Also, if you want to make sure that your messages are received by all members, you can refer to the posting guidelines, which describe in detail the essence of our list's "netiquette" :-)

Questions and Answers are in no particular order. Use the "Find" option of your browser (which is usually found under the "Edit" menu) to search for a keyword identifying your query.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: This SoapNatch Handbook has been compiled with the help of our wonderful members. We'd like to give special thanks to D'Neal, Nancy H., Shelagh and Shelley for their invaluable help with technical and readability issues. If you would like to suggest changes, corrections or additions, please let us know! Your help and your feedback are very much appreciated :-)

PART A)
UNDER THE HOOD - TECHNICAL REFERENCE

• I am going away for a few days and I would like to stop the emails from the list. How do I unsubscribe?
• I have forgotten my password. Can you help me?
• Why do I receive so many messages a day, and most of them do not refer to me?
• What is a digest, and how can I set my subscription options to "digest"?
• Still, I am getting too many messages and do not have time to read all this mail. Can you unsubscribe me?
• I am subscribed to the list, but I am not receiving any messages. What happened?
• I posted a message to the list, but it looks like it never got there. What happened?
• What is PLAIN TEXT, and why do I have to use it to post to the list?
• How do I know if my posts are in PLAIN TEXT?
• How do I post in PLAIN TEXT?
• Is there someone who can help me understand how to change my email program preferences?
• I would like to use one of the online forms available from Soap Naturally Web, but my browser doesn't have an associated email program. What can I do?
• I would like to make sure that my email address is not available to spammers. How can I conceal my name and address from the subscriber list?
• I have received a virus from this list! What happened?
• Why are posters listed as "soap-list@soapnaturally.org" ?
• What is the difference between "Soap Naturally mailing list (aka Soap Natch)" and "Soap Naturally Web"?
• All this is very well, but.... how do I post to the list?? (This question is often worded as "How I do get on this chat board/chat line/forum/group??")

A1 - Q.     I am going away for a few days and I would like to stop the emails from the list. How do I unsubscribe?

A1 - A.     If you're planning to get back on list when you return, you can temporarily suspend delivery of the email messages from Soap Naturally by setting your subscription options to "nomail". For this,

1. Go to four.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/soap-list
2. Enter your email address in the text box at the bottom of the page
3. Click the "Edit options" button
4. A new page opens. Scroll down to where it says, "Disable mail delivery" (which should be "Off")
5. Change this to "On" to set your options to "nomail".
6. Scroll down to the bottom of the page
7. Enter your password and click the "Submit my changes" button.

A2 - Q.     I have forgotten my password. Can you help me?

A2 - A.     To protect your privacy, the mailing list software does not allow us to access password information. However, you can easily retrieve a copy of your password as follows:

1. Go to four.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/soap-list
2. Enter your email address in the text box at the bottom of the page
3. Click the "Edit options" button
4. A new page opens. Just about in the middle, you'll see a heading that reads, "Forgotten Your Password?".
5. Click the button under this heading to have a copy of your password emailed to you.

A3 - Q.     Why do I receive so many messages a day, and most of them do not refer to me?

A3 - A.     This is the nature of a "mailing list". A mailing list is an open email forum, where members can post questions and receive answers. All members receive the same messages, because the discussion is open to anybody who would like to participate.

Soap Naturally is a particularly active (and helpful) mailing list, with thousands of members from all over the world. We encourage you to post a short introduction soon after joining, telling us who you are, where you come from and what you expect from the list. Each mailing list has its own rules and character, but on Soap Naturally we believe that if we get to know each other, we can help and understand each other better.... and we all benefit :-)

It makes it easier for you as a new member to ask questions if you know the people to whom you are talking, and they in turn will have a feel for the way in which they can best help you. As a result of this policy, many international friendships have been formed!

If you prefer not to receive so many messages a day, you can choose to set your subscription to "digest". This does not prevent you from taking part in discussions and chat and from participating in our on-line community.

A4 - Q.     What is a digest, and how can I set my subscription options to "digest"?

A4 - A.     A "digest" is a single message containing all the messages that have been posted to Soap Naturally in the last 12-24 hours. Soap Naturally digests are compiled and delivered automatically as soon as a certain number of messages have been sent to the list. Depending on the number (and length) of these messages, you may receive more than one Soap Naturally digest a day.

If you wish to set your subscription options to "digest", do the following:

1. Go to four.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/soap-list
2. Enter your email address in the text box at the bottom of the page
3. Click the "Edit options" button
4. A new page opens. Scroll down to where it says, "Set digest mode" (which should be "Off")
5. Change this to "On" to set your options to "digest".
6. Scroll down to the bottom of the page
7. Enter your password and click the "Submit my changes" button.

A5 - Q.     Still, I am getting too many messages and do not have time to read all this mail. Can you unsubscribe me?

A5 - A.     Yes, we could - but we would really appreciate it if you did it yourself :-)

1. Go to four.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/soap-list
2. Enter your email address in the text box at the bottom of the page
3. Click the "Edit options" button
4. A new page opens. Right at the top, you'll see a heading that reads, "Unsubscribing from Soap-list".
5. Enter your password in the box under this heading and click the "Unsubscribe" button.

A6 - Q.     I am subscribed to the list, but I am not receiving any messages. What happened?

A6 - A.     A few things might have caused this.

First, we suggest you make sure the email address you've used to subscribe to Soap Naturally is active, and that you are regularly downloading your other mail from it. You might also want to check your anti-spam filters, and make sure that messages from [anything]@soapnaturally.org are NOT accidentally filtered out to "Spam" or "Trash".

Then, if you're sure you have not set your options to "nomail" at some point (and forgotten to change this back to "mail", as described below), there is a chance the mailing list program itself decided to disable delivery of emails to your address. This happens when an abnormal number of posts from SoapNatch is "bounced" - or, in other words, when your email address has been unreachable. These "bounces" are sometimes caused by other sets of anti-spam filters, which your Internet Service Provider might have applied without your knowledge. If this is the case, you'll have to talk to their Support Desk and ask them to whitelist soapnaturally.org.

If your subscription email address was set to "nomail" and you wish to restore your options to normal delivery of emails,

1. Go to four.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/soap-list
2. Enter your email address in the text box at the bottom of the page
3. Click the "Edit options" button
4. A new page opens. Scroll down to where it says, "Disable mail delivery" (which might be "On")
5. Change this to "Off" to set your options to "mail".
6. Scroll down to the bottom of the page
7. Enter your password and click the "Submit my changes" button.

If all fails, please contact the List Mums.

A7 - Q.     I posted a message to the list, but it looks like it never got there. What happened?

A7 - A.     There are a few reasons why messages may never reach the mailing list. Some are of a technical nature, others are basic common sense or etiquette reasons - and then of course the Internet is not perfect, and there is always the possibility of delivery errors.

The known reasons why messages might not make it to the list are described in the Soap Naturally Posting Guidelines.

A8 - Q.     What is PLAIN TEXT, and why do I have to use it to post to the list?

A8 - A.     PLAIN TEXT is a standard format for email messages, which is recognised and accepted by all email programs (including mailing list managing software).
Important information explaining why "formatted" emails are not accepted by the mailing list software that manages the Soap Naturally mailing list, and are best avoided in general, is available from the following Websites:

• Expita.com - Everything by email: a personal Website explaining how to set your email program to "plain text" and offering advice about email.
• HTML Email: Whenever Possible, Turn It Off! - from the American University support site.

A9 - Q.     How do I know if my posts are in PLAIN TEXT?

A9 - A.     There is a simple test you can run: create a new email message, address it to yourself and send it, then check your mail to retrieve it. Now open the message and find (in your email program) the menu item that allows you to see all "Internet headers" to locate the "Content-Type" header line. Make sure this reads Content-Type: text/plain;
If, for any reason, you can't run this test yourself or you cannot follow these instructions, you can first refer to the documentation or the Support Desk for the email software you use on your computer; often, ISP's (Internet Service Providers) also have suggestions on how to use email.

If all else fails, you can send us (offlist) an email message, using the normal settings you would use to post to the list. You can use the [ soap-list-owner --at-- soapnaturally.org ] email address for this, after removing the brackets and spaces, and replacing --at-- with the @ sign on your keyboard.

A10 - Q.     How do I post in PLAIN TEXT?

A10 - A.     You'll have to check your email program preferences and make sure that all formatting options are off, and also that no attachments are sent with the message. You'll find detailed answers about this and other frequently asked questions about the most popular email programs at the email help page, or from the links already supplied in A8:

• Expita.com - Everything by email: a personal Website explaining how to set your email program to "plain text" and offering advice about email.
• HTML Email: Whenever Possible, Turn It Off! - from the American University support site.

You can also refer to the documentation or the Support Desk for the email software you use on your computer, as explained above in A9.

And finally, if your email program doesn't allow you to send messages in PLAIN TEXT... consider downloading a free safe email program, such as Apple Mail (on Macs), Thunderbird, Opera Mail or Pegasus. See our "tekkie links" page for further info:

www.soapnaturally.org/tech_soap_resources.html

A11 - Q.     Is there someone who can help me understand how to change my email program preferences?

A11 - A.     If the links supplied at A8 and A10 above don't help, we provide as much detail as we can about popular email software programs in our email help page.

A12 - Q.     I would like to use one of the online forms available from Soap Naturally Web, but my browser doesn't have an associated email program. What can I do?

A12 - A.     All the online forms available from the Soap Naturally Web allow you to get in touch with a "human" without publicly disclosing their email address. All these forms work with interactive "scripts" (a "script" is a little program running on the server) and do not require using an email program. Just fill in the form with the required information and press the "Send" or "Submit" button at the bottom of the form.

A13 - Q.     I would like to make sure that my email address is not available to spammers. How can I conceal my name and address from the subscriber list?

A13 - A.     We make sure that your email address cannot be exploited by spammers and cannot be used by a virus, by leaving only this list's email address visible in the headers of all messages that are posted to the list.

Of course, this protection is only granted for messages that you send to and receive from the Soap Naturally list. Offlist emails that you might exchange with other Soap Natch list members do not fall under our "umbrella", and are open to virus, malware and spam exploitations, especially if you are on a Windows PC.

A14 - Q.     I have received a virus from this list! What happened?

A14 - A.     The SoapNatch mailing list is protected from viruses by default, because it does not accept, nor allow distributing attachments, nor it makes any subscriber's email address visible.

However, if you have chosen to specify your email address in the body of one of your messages to the list, your email address might have been picked up by someone else's computer. We have no way to control this, but we can assure you that the ONLY WAY to distribute viruses on the Internet is by using unsafe operating systems and unsafe email programs - and unfortunately, the unsafest of all is also the most used... namely, Microsoft Outlook (in any of its many denominations).

We have discussed this problem extensively in the past, and there are on list several members who can help understand what can be done to protect one's computer from these cyber attacks with special software, such as anti-virus programs, firewalls, filters etc. If you would like to know more and the archives can't help you, please feel free to ask onlist!

Sadly, it should be noted that the above "remedies" are totally useless when a NEW virus appears on the Internet - and the easiest and safest way to stop viruses polluting the cyberspace is to use a safe email program on a safe operating system. Some technical information is available from the following page:

www.soapnaturally.org/tech_soap_resources.html

A15 - Q.     Why are posters listed as "soap-list@soapnaturally.org"?

A15 - A.     This is the member protection feature that makes this list completely safe. Because no private email address is included in the "From:" header, no virus or spammer can access member addresses.

A16 - Q.     What is the difference between "Soap Naturally mailing list (aka SoapNatch)" and "Soap Naturally Web"?

A16 - A.     When we talk of "SoapNatch", we usually refer to the mailing list and its archives, which, by definition, are restricted to registered members and therefore not publicly available.

However, with the contributions from the members of the mailing list, we also maintain a public Website, available to anyone (including non-members), at www.soapnaturally.org. This is what we refer to as "Soap Naturally Web".

A17 - Q.     How do I "post to the list" (or get on the chat line/chartboard, access the forum and similar alternative questions)?

A17 - A.     The SoapNatch community is a public discussion mailing list, in the traditional Internet sense: a mailing list is an e-mail discussion group (or forum), where each member receives copies of all the messages exchanged among other members, and can send email messages, with his or her own comments, which in turn reach every other member.

Technically speaking, SoapNatch is not a (Usenet) group, nor a chatboard (or chat line), nor an online forum, although most of these terms are often used interchangeably these days - often with rather confusing effects... :-)

So if you want to interact with the SoapNatch mailing list, you will have to do it through your email program, by "posting" (=sending) your comments in an email message addressed to soap-list --at-- soapnaturally.org (replace --at-- with the @ symbol on your keyboard).

PART B)
MOVING AROUND - QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

• What is the POP page??
• Can I have my picture published on the Points-of-Presence (POP) page?
• I have this soap picture I would like to share. What can I do?
• What are all these strange "words" - CP, HP, CPOP, GMS, LOL....?
• Where are the archives?
• Can I search the archives?
• Why can't I access the older archives prior to Dec 2001?
• I am a beginner at soapmaking. Where do I start?
• Where do I find information about suppliers?
• Can you suggest a recipe for.....?
• Can I add a link to Soap Naturally from my website?
• What is a "soap swap", and how do I join?
• I have a recipe in US measurements, but I use metric (or vice versa). How can I convert it?
• What is a lye calculator, and where can I find it?
• Can you suggest some good books about soapmaking?

B1 - Q.     What is the POP page?

B1 - A.     On the public Website of Soap Naturally, the page at www.soapnaturally.org/soap_naturally_pop.html lists some of the members who, in the past, agreed to have their names and locations displayed.

This feature was made possible in the past by the fact that SoapNatch was a relatively small group. With our mailing list becoming increasingly popular and sought after, thousands of members have been joining since 2002... and we have sadly become unable to keep up with the updates!

If however you have a Website, you might want to consider being included in the Soap Naturally Soapers list. Instructions on how to do this can be found on this page.

B2 - Q.     Can I have my picture published on the Points-of-Presence (POP) page?

B2 - A.     As explained in B1, we are sadly no longer able to keep this page updated. If you would like to share pictures with the SoapNatch mailing list, our suggestion is that you use one of the available photo sharing websites, such as Bubble Share, and then post the URI of your photos and albums to the list.

B3 - Q.     I have this soap picture I would like to share. What can I do?

B3 - A.     The Soap Naturally Web site has a special section for soap pictures. This is maintained by Marina, and you can send her [ marina --at-- soapnaturally.org ] your photos as an email attachment for publishing on the Web.

However, since Marina is always very slow with the updates, you might also consider using one of the available photo sharing websites, such as Bubble Share, and then post the URI of your photos and albums to the list.

B4 - Q.     What are all these strange "words" - CP, HP, CPOP, GMS, LOL....?

B4 - A.     See the shortcuts page for a description of the most commonly used jargon. If the term you are unsure about is not there, please let Marina know, so she can add it for future reference!

Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand an abbreviation or can't find it in the shortcuts section. We don't want anybody to feel left out of the chat! :-)

B5 - Q.     Where are the archives?

B5 - A.     To access the archives, go to the archive entry page and follow the link to the current archives. You will need your password to access the current archives.

B6 - Q.     Can I search the archives by keyword?

B6 - A.     Not at the moment, because the software behind the list's Web interface is still under development. However, you can choose to sort the messages by Thread, Subject, Author and Date.

B7 - Q.     Why can't I access the older archives?

B7 - A.     Before 8th December 2001, Soap Naturally was hosted on a small private server in Mayfield, NSW (Australia), and used a different mailing list manager (a "mailing list manager" is the software program that "runs" a mailing list). Unfortunately, the archives produced by the old mailing list manager are not accessible from the new host, which uses a different program for the list. If you are interested in technical nitty-gritty, you can refer to our "tekkie links" page, at www.soapnaturally.org/tech_soap_resources.html.

B8 - Q.     I am a beginner at soapmaking. Where do I start?

B8 - A.     If you haven't already done so, we recommend that you obtain a copy of Soap Naturally - Ingredients, methods and recipes for natural handmade soap, and read it in its entirety. This book is the most complete and up-to-date handbook about natural soapmaking, and is available from Australian bookshops and through local distributors outside Australia. Alternatively, you can ask your local library to add it to their stock.

In addition, although not as a replacement for the Soap Naturally book, we suggest that you spend some time browsing the Soap Naturally website, starting from the Soapmaking Table of Contents. A wealth of useful information has been collected there with the help of list members, and you'll be able to find there answers to a lot of questions about soap making methods, recipes, properties of oils and additives, essential/fragrance oil blending, soap making suppliers, commercial regulations, and also a large collection of links to other interesting sites.

And of course.... feel free to ask questions! We were all beginners once. Also remember that there is no such thing as a stupid question! :-)

B9 - Q.     Where do I find information about suppliers?

B9 - A.     Information about soap making supplies is available from two sections of the Soap Naturally Web:

• For information about common ingredients, such as palm or coconut oil, caustic soda etc., please refer to the raw materials page.
• The soapmaking supplies links page lists specialised suppliers that are also members of this list.

The Soap Natch list etiquette for discussion of suppliers is described in the Soap and The Art of Living in a Slippery World section.

B10 - Q.     Can you suggest a recipe for.....?

B10 - A.     We suggest that you first refer to the Soap Naturally book, which will help you obtain the best foundations for your soapmaking skills and also includes detailed instructions on how to design your own soap recipes. The Soap Naturally book is also an excellent reference for natural skincare with its simple, yet effective recipes for skin care products.

Then, you can browse the index of the soap and skin care recipes shared by Soap Naturally members. Information about using herbs and essential oils is also available from the natural skin care handbook. Links to other recipe sites are available from the recipes and reference resources page.

B11 - Q.     Can I add a link to Soap Naturally from my website?

B11 - A.     By all means, yes! :-)

We suggest that you email Marina if you would like us to set up a reciprocal link.

B12 - Q.     What is a "soap swap", and how do I join?

B12 - A.     A "soap swap" is a fun project, where several soapmakers send each other samples of the soap they make. The details change from swap to swap, and from group to group, but the basic concept is the same everywhere - i.e., we swap our soaps so we can see what other soapers do, get feedback about our products, and learn more. Soap swaps are a way for sharing.... and of course, also for showing off our masterpieces! :-))

Information about current and past swaps is available from the swaps index page.

B13 - Q.     I have a recipe in US measurements, but I use metric (or vice versa). How can I convert it?

B13 - A.     Therese Lott's SAP (saponification) calculator also includes a quick Metric to US/US to Metric converter.

For a detailed description of how to recalculate the amounts if you want to resize a particular recipe, you can refer to Ida's instructions.

B14 - Q.     What is a lye calculator, and where can I find it?

B14 - A.     A lye calculator, also called SAP calculator, soapmaking calculator, or saponification calculator, is a little program that allows you to calculate the exact amount of alkali (NaOH or KOH) needed for a particular soap recipe.

Soap Naturally is also home to Therese Lott's standalone lye (SAP) calculator, which is available for download in several formats from here.

B15 - Q.     Can you suggest some good books about soapmaking?

B15 - A.     The most complete and up-to-date book about natural soapmaking is Soap Naturally - Ingredients, methods and recipes for natural handmade soap. We recommend this particular book, which you can find in Australian bookshops and through local distributors outside Australia. Alternatively, you can ask your local library to add it to their stock.

PART C)
SOAP AND THE ART OF LIVING IN A SLIPPERY WORLD

• How can I advertise my products on Soap Naturally?
• Can I mention my favourite suppliers?
• How do I know that someone is an "active member"?
• I have a problem with a supplier. Can I name that supplier when discussing this on list?
• I would like to share some supplies with other list members. Can I organise a co-op, and how do I do it?
• What is the difference between a "Co-op" and a "Fast Buy"?
• I found this great recipe on another list. Can I repost it to Soap Naturally?
• There are so many interesting recipes posted to Soap Naturally. Can I repost them to another list?
• A list member has just posted something I think is offensive or upsetting. What should I do?
• Can we discuss politics and other off-topic issues on this list?

C1 - Q.     How can I advertise my products on Soap Naturally?

C1 - A.     Advertising is not allowed. However, Soap Natch supports and encourages co-ops and other purchasing systems that allow access to quality supplies at particularly competitive prices. If you would like to organise a co-op, please contact the List Mums first.

C2 - Q.     Can I mention my favourite suppliers?

C2 - A.     We realise that discussing suppliers can be an important aspect in sharing information about soapmaking. In particular, we know that low quality products, purchased on price-only considerations from unscrupulous suppliers, can cause great damage to natural soap. Sadly, there are constraints that prevent us from mentioning and discussing on list any suppliers that are not members of the SoapNatch list.
Because we do not want to promote unscrupulous suppliers in some indirect way, we can only mention those suppliers who are listed in the Soap Naturally suppliers links page. If you know of any soap supplier you would like to be listed among the Soap Naturally suppliers, please invite them to join the list and become "active members" of it, so we can all share information about their products.

C3 - Q.     How do I know that someone is an "active member"?

C3 - A.     "Active members" are those members of the list who post to SoapNatch often enough for you to notice (and even remember) their names :-))

You will usually find active members friendly and very ready to help, especially with fellow members who are new to soaping.

C4 - Q.     I have a problem with a supplier. Can I name that supplier when discussing this on list?

C4 - A.     As with question C2, we can discuss on list only those suppliers that are listed in the Soap Naturally suppliers links page.

C5 - Q.     I would like to share some supplies with other list members. Can I organise a co-op, and how do I do it?

C5 - A.     Co-ops and other types of group buys are very welcome on Soap Naturally, and can be launched by any member of the Soap Naturally list. To make sure there are no unfair advantages or disadvantages to any members, we ask you to submit your co-op offer to the List Mums for approval and to obtain a copy of the special co-op form.
Members who would like to offer co-ops are responsible for sourcing the product, calculating an estimate price per unit (based on cost of the product + shipping costs to the co-ordinator's address), and then contacting the Soap Natch list owners to obtain permission to post an official co-op call to the list.
Once the co-op is approved, the call can be posted to the list, and the co-ordinator (that is, the member who has obtained permission for the co-op) will then collect orders, receive and organise payments, and then re-distribute the product(s) to each participant in the co-op.
The practical reason why we ask that all co-ops are pre-approved by the list owners is very simple: Because co-ops involve moving money, and as we sadly know, the Internet offers very fertile grounds for unscrupulous dealers, the pre-approval of co-ops from the list owners is the best way to ensure that the co-ordinator is a trusted member of the list, and you are going to get value for your money - that is, you are going to get the product you expect for the best possible price.
The Soap Naturally list owners offer the opportunity to organise and participate in co-ops as a free, non-commercial service to the community, and cannot take any direct or indirect responsibility for the outcome of any co-ops that are not run personally by one of them.

C6 - Q.     What is the difference between a "Co-op" and a "Fast Buy"?

C6 - A.     Simply put, a "co-op" occurs when a group of people share a pre-determined order (usually, a large amount directly from the manufacturer, or an otherwise cost-saving order) at cost price (that is, the cost of the goods, plus repacking and delivery costs when applicable). Usually, there is only one co-op coordinator (that is, one person handles the contacts with the supplier and the re-distribution of the goods), and the goods are only purchased if the whole amount of the order, or the aimed-for price break is reached.

"Fast buys" are similar, in that they offer an opportunity to save on commonly used materials, but may involve multiple co-ordinators, who are prepared to take up possible "left overs" from the minimum order required by the supplier. To compensate for this extra risk, a small markup may be added to the actual cost before the goods are offered for "fast buy".

C7 - Q.     I found this great recipe on another list. Can I repost it to Soap Naturally?

C7 - A.     Not unless you have written approval from the poster. Also, some popular "free" mailing list hosts impose copyright restrictions to messages exchanged on the lists hosted by them. So if the recipe was posted to one of these lists, you may not be allowed to repost it to any other lists.

Messages coming from other lists, or from contributors who are not part of the Soap Naturally membership, must include the contributor's name and their specific approval for submission to Soap Naturally. As you probably know, this is normal practice on all lists.

C8 - Q.     There are so many interesting recipes posted to Soap Naturally. Can I repost them to another list?

C8 - A.     In a word, "No".

You may share the URL for our recipe archives, www.soapnaturally.org/soap_recipe_index.html, with other individuals and lists. Permission is hereby granted to do so, as long as only the URL (Web address) is shared - not the actual contents of any page. We're happy to provide helpful information. But.... specific recipes provided by individual soapers are considered their copyrighted material, and cannot be indiscriminately posted, published, or otherwise provided to others without the recipe-owner's written permission. Period. And anytime individual quotes/posts/messages to Soap Naturally are sent to other lists, you MUST have prior approval of this list's owners or list mums. No exceptions. This keeps things tidy and prevents misunderstandings of all sorts. Besides being appropriate and lawful.

C9 - Q.     A list member has just posted something I think is offensive or upsetting. What should I do?

C9 - A.     Soap Naturally prides itself on, by and large, avoiding online arguments. You may have seen on other lists that disagreements can get out of hand very quickly. Often, so-called flame wars, on unmoderated mailing list, become so bad so quickly, that they can altogether destroy the list itself. So with the SoapNatch list reaching maturity and attracting thousands of members (not all of them necessarily "nice"), we have chosen to moderate the list and avoid dangerous discussions altogether.

If you found the contents of any posts to be offensive to you, the best way to deal with such a situation is to contact offlist Ersilia, James and Marina. Please explain which posting you find offensive and why, and they will listen to your reasons and do what they can to address the issue.

Since maintaining a safe and peaceful environment is (and has always been, and will always be) our number 1 priority, we ask that whenever you disagree with a statement or point of view, you word your response in a non-inflammatory manner.

C10 - Q.     Can we discuss politics and other off-topic issues on this list?

C10 - A.     We very much prefer that politics be avoided. Although this list has an Australian "flavour" to it, there are members from all Continents, and its real home is *the world*. Due to this non-exclusive nature of Soap Naturally, it is inevitable that members may see issues from different perspectives. Rather than trying to change someone else's views, we prefer to concentrate on what we have in common and always enforce our sense of *international community*.
We hold to this policy even in emergency situations.

You may notice that occasionally, messages of sympathy are posted after an incident. This is allowed, as long as the messages do not contain anything blatantly or deliberately controversial.

Other off-topic issues are tolerated, especially when they can help us get to know and understand each other better.

As a courtesy to other members, and for readability sake, we ask that "OT" is prefixed to the Subject when applicable. "OT" stands for Off Topic (thread), and makes it easier for everybody to filter the messages (particularly in the archives).

For further information about acceptable contents and format for your messages, you can also refer to the message posting guide.

COURTESIES... OTHERWISE CALLED NETIQUETTE

To make sure that your messages successfully pass the security (software) filters this list has in place, we ask all our members to:

a) Send all messages in plain text, not HTML or RTF, and make sure there are no attachments.

b) Check replies to messages before posting to make sure that they do not include the whole contents of the original message.

c) Check the subject line to ensure that it accurately reflects the content of the message you're posting. As threads evolve, the original subject line often becomes outdated or inappropriate. When this happens, please change it. This ensures both that members can avoid subjects which do not interest them, and that they can identify those subjects they wish to read about. It is for your convenience as well as for that of other people :-)

d) Avoid using verbose signatures or tag lines. If you know what a signature (or tag line) is, you probably know what we mean by "verbose"... :-)

e) Whenever in doubt, feel free to contact Ersilia, James and Marina. We'll do our best to help!

Full details on the SoapNatch posting principles and software filters are available from the Soap Naturally posting guidelines. It's all basic common sense and politeness, and helps to keep the list running smoothly :-)

If you need any further assistance, do not hesitate to ask us.

Catch you on list,
Hugs and bubbles :-))

Ersilia, James & Marina ~ List Mums, Soap Naturally mailing list

Contributors: D'Neal Scott, Nancy Howes, Shelley Bordeleau, Shelagh Clayton

Soapmaking Books: Soap Naturally - Ingredients, methods and recipes for natural handmade soap is the soapmaking book that answers all questions about natural soap: Soap Naturally Book page.

Editors & maintainers:
Ersilia Vitale
[ ccdream --at-- iprimus.com.au - Cosmetic grade colours: oxides and ultramarines ],

Marina Tadiello
[ Soap book co-author, Soap Naturally - Ingredients, methods and recipes for natural handmade soap ]
[ AquaSapone - natural soap, essential oils, soap making supplies & kits ]

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