ABRF Discussion Forum

About the Electronic Discussion Group
Ombudsman
To Join The List
List Etiquette and Conventions
Suggested Subject Headings
Email Command Summary

About the Electronic Discussion Group The ABRF operates an email based discussion group covering a broad range of topics of interest to its members. The list topics include both protein/peptide and nucleic acid chemistry, sequencing, synthesis, mass spectrometry, amino acid analysis, biocomputing and laboratory management. Members range from junior technical staff to departmental chairs. The group has over 1000 members on 6 continents. Recently, the discussion forum has been enhanced to allow participation by web only. The enhanced discussion forum accommodates attachments. Attachments sent by e-mail will be stripped from the e-mail distribution and replaced to a link to the web site where the attachment can be viewed or downloaded. Attachments can also be posted via the web interface. People browsing the list from the web will see links to the attachments on the web site.

Ombudsman: A unique feature of our list is the ABRF Ombudsman. If you have a controversial or difficult question, response or problem which you would like to post anonymously, send your message to ombudsman@abrf.org Identifiers will be removed from your message before it is sent to the mailing list at large. Note that this method for anonymous posting is handled by a person. While we have never had a complaint about any compromise with this system, consider that if this makes you uncomfortable, free e-mail accounts (including those designed for anonymity) are available from many sources. If at all possible, post information along with identification. Consider the credibility this lends to the information in the message.

To Join The List (If you are already a member of the Discussion Group (DG) and wish to change options, see below:) Please note that you can search the archives with out being a member of the list (discussion group), but you must join the group and sign in as a member of the DG before you can post a new message or reply to a message. Also note that being a member of the discussion group and being a member of the ABRF are two distinct things. You can use the same username and password for the DG as for your membership, for convenience. Note that there is a difference between Log in (as a member of ABRF to see sensitive information on the webpage) and Sign in (for the Discussion Group). There are two methods for joining (leaving, etc) the group.

(A) by email
(B) by the web page

And there are three options for participation in the ABRF Discussion Group (DG):

(1)All messages via email
(2)Message digest via email
(3)Web based only (no email)

For participation, if you prefer to use the option 1, "All messages vial email", or option 2, "Message digest via email", then you may join the group(list) by email (A) or by the webpage (B). If you prefer to participate only through the web and receive no email, then you must join by the web (B).

To join the list by email (A), send a blank e-mail message to: list_join_ABRF@list.abrf.org
follow the instructions in the reply.
If you wish to participate by "Message digest via email", then you must send an additional message as described in the welcoming email or in the Command Summary below

To join the list by webpage (B):

Go to "http://www.abrf.org. On the left hand menu fly out menu, choose Communications and then Electronic Discussion Group Archive or just go to http://www.abrf.org/index.cfm/list.home.
You should see a link on the right hand top which says Join Group. Click on this link and you should be at http://www.abrf.org/index.cfm/list.join. You should see "Create an Account". Ignore the part that says NOTE: If you are currently a member of this group, please use the password recovery feature found on the Sign In page.
Under Create an Account: fill in User name, Full name (optional) and Password and Confirm Password. Under Group Options, fill in the email address that you wish these messages sent to (even if you don't want email messages sent- we need a way to contact subscribers). Make sure that JOIN Group is checked. Choose a delivery method. Press submit form.
You should get a message that says you have been subscribed to the group. and says "You have requested to join the Group ABRF Discussion List. A confirmation email will be sent to the address you indicated: 'joescientist@blahblah.org'. For your protection, you must respond to this confirmation email in order to complete your request.
Respond to the email and you are ready to go.
You should then click on "Sign in" (this is different from the Log In on the top of the page). Sign in using your username and password that you just created and you are all set.
In the future, set a bookmark for this page, simply sign in (this is different from the Log In on the top of the page) to be able to send email through the web interface or check emails. If you wish to change how you participate, go to the Options link (after signing in) and change your password or email or how you participate (email, digest, web). If you have any problems contact ListMaster@list.abrf.org.

If you are already a member of the DG and wish to change to a web based system, no email, then things are slightly more complicated, but just follow these instructions closely: You should only have to do this once.

If you are already subscribed as a member, unsubscribe the traditional way via e-mail by sending a blank email to list_leave_ABRF@list.abrf.org.
Wait a few minutes and then check your email. You should receive an email saying "We have received a request from this email address (joeblow@blahblah.org) to leave the discussion list named ABRF Discussion List (ABRF@list.abrf.org). For your protection, we need you to confirm this request by replying to this message. You will continue to receive mail from the list until you do so. "
To leave the list, you must reply to this email. You should receive another email confirming that you have left the list.
AFTER you receive a message saying that you are no longer subscribed (don't proceed unless you are sure you are unsubscribed), then go to http://www.abrf.org. On the left hand menu fly out menu, choose Communications and then Electronic Discussion Group Archive or just go to http://www.abrf.org/index.cfm/list.home.
You should see a link on the right hand top which says Join Group. Click on this link and you should be at http://www.abrf.org/index.cfm/list.join. You should see "Create an Account". Ignore the part that says NOTE: If you are currently a member of this group, please use the password recovery feature found on the Sign In page.
Under Create an Account: fill in User name, Full name (optional) and Password and Confirm Password. Under Group Options, fill in the email address that you wish these messages sent to (even if you don't want email messages sent- we need a way to contact subscribers). Make sure that JOIN Group is checked. Choose a delivery method. Press submit form.
You should get a message that says you have been subscribed to the group. and says "You have requested to join the Group ABRF Discussion List. A confirmation email will be sent to the address you indicated: 'joeblow@blahblah.org'. For your protection, you must respond to this confirmation email in order to complete your request.
Respond to the email and you are ready to go.
You should then click on "Sign in" (this is different from the Log In on the top of the page). Sign in using your username and password that you just created and you are all set.
In the future, set a bookmark for this page, simply sign in (this is different from the Log In on the top of the page) to be able to send email through the web interface or check emails. If you wish to change how you participate, go to the Options link (after signing in) and change your password or email or how you participate (email, digest, web). If you have any problems contact ListMaster@list.abrf.org.

To post a message to the list, send your message to: ABRF@list.abrf.org (you must already have joined in order to post)

To see a list of all the commands and help, send a blank e-mail message to: list_help_ABRF@list.abrf.org or the text at the Command Summary below

archives of these email discussions can be viewed

here

List Etiquette and Conventions:

There is strong feeling among our membership that no political messages be sent to the list, no matter how important or heartfelt. There should also be no advertising of any kind or other junk or nonscientific mail. The listmaster may suspend or revoke the list privileges of repeat offenders.

Anyone who is associated with a vendor in any way (employee or consultant) should interpret "no advertising of any kind" very conservatively so as to not breach convention. This includes any linking to vendor sites within the text of a response. A vendor may include one URL pointing to the home page of their company along with an e-mail address in the signature of their post.

You can find good general information about participating in electonic discussion groups (AKA Listserves, mailing lists, email lists) at http://list-etiquette.com/. Below are some additional guidelines and information on list etiquette and behavior.

Our list management software is set to require subjects on all messages. All attachments will be stripped to prevent virus propagation . Because a significant number of people use e-mail clients without html capabilities (and because of the security risks inherent in html formatted messages), only plain text will be posted to the list.

Please do not set up "autoresponders" to reply to this list. Sometimes autoresponders do not handle the list messages correctly and result in a "mail loop" which floods the list (not to mention your inbox!) with useless messages. A better solution is to suspend yourself from the list while you are away and "unsuspend" yourself when you return. See the Command Summary below for details on how to suspend and unsuspend your subscription.

Replies often elicit new responses. This mechanism permits us all to share in the knowledge and amplifies and enriches the discussion. We encourage you to respond to the list for the benefit of everyone as opposed to sending private responses. When you hit "reply" note that the list address will be included by default - if you truly want to reply directly to the person, you will need to edit the recipient address. If you receive responses that have been addressed only to you, we encourage you to forward them to the abrf list address (with permission) or make a summary and send that along.

We're all learning from one another. It is important not to make fun of someone who makes an error or displays some ignorance on line. We're supposed to be asking questions for which we don't know the answer.

Since there are a large variety of topics covered, we suggest using a prefix in the subject line. Please add a specific subtopic, too.
Suggested Subject Headings are:

Header               Description
AAA          Amino Acid Analysis
Comp         Computer analysis/web resources/database searches
CE           Capillary electrophoresis
CHO          Carbohydrate analysis
Digest       Enzymatic or chemical digestion conditions
DNASeq       DNA sequencing
DNASyn       DNA synthesis (oligonucleotides)
EBlot        Electroblotting
GLP/GMP      Compliance and accreditation matters  
HPLC         HPLC-peptide/protein purification
MolBio       Misc. molecular biology matters
MS           Mass spectrometry    
PCR          PCR
PepSyn       Peptide synthesis
ProtSeq      Protein sequencing
P2D          Protein purification by 2-D gel  
EqpNeed      Equipment need
EqpSale      Equipment for sale  
JobNeed      Those looking for positions vacant
JobOpen      Those with vacancies to fill  
Nostalgia    Just for greybeards and/or whiteheads
Misc         None of the above

  --------------------------------------------
   ABRF Discussion List Command Reference
--------------------------------------------

Please note that the mail message containing the commands must
originate from the e-mail address that is actually subscribed to the
list.

TO POST TO THE LIST
----------------------------
To send a message to the list (which is then sent to all list members,
so do not use the list for  private discussion), address your email to:
     ABRF@list.abrf.org

TO LEAVE THE LIST
----------------------------
To unsubscribe yourself from this mailing list,
send a blank email to:
     <list_leave_ABRF@list.abrf.org>.

TO JOIN THE LIST
----------------------------
To subscribe yourself to this mailing list,
send a blank email to:
     <list_join_ABRF@list.abrf.org>.

TO RECEIVE MESSAGES IN DIGEST MODE* (OR NOT)
----------------------------------
To turn Digest Mode ON, send a blank email to:
     <list_digest_ABRF_on@list.abrf.org>
To turn Digest Mode OFF, send a blank email to:
     <list_digest_ABRF_off@list.abrf.org>
(* Digest mode means all the previous day's
postings are sent in one indexed message, at midnight,
instead of getting each message as it's posted.)

TO SUSPEND OR UNSUSPEND YOUR SUBSCIPTION
----------------------------------
You can suspend your subscription to the list (for instance you are
traveling and don't want mail piling up in your absence) by sending
a blank email to:
     <list_suspend_ABRF_on@list.abrf.org>

You can then unsuspend your subscription by sending a blank email to:
     <list_suspend_ABRF_off@list.abrf.org>

TO GET HELP
-----------------------------
To get a copy of this help file emailed to you at any time,
send a blank email to:
     <list_help_ABRF@list.abrf.org>

TO CONTACT THE LIST OWNER
-----------------------------
You can contact an actual person by sending an email to:

<ListMaster@list.abrf.org>