Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions (and the answers) relating to the apolnet-l listserv. If your question is not covered here, please contact us.
- How do I subscribe/unsubscribe to the APOLNET Listserv?
- How do I post a message?
- I've tried emailing the APOLNET Listserv but the message doesn't appear to have been sent. What should I do?
- Do you have any guidelines for posting information?
- I'd like to post a document that our group just released. Should I attach it to my email message?
- I know people shouldn't be posting commercial messages but we have a fundraiser coming up and we would really like to get the word out. Can you help?
- Can I let people know about an excellent resource our group has just produced?
- I've noticed that some messages are really long and hard to read. Do you have any tips for posting materials?
- I don't want to receive listserv messages on a regular basis but I am interested in some of your topics. Do you archive old messages?
- Does the APOLNET Listserv offer a digest option?
- I've heard you have Listserv hot topics. How do these work?
- Who subscribes to the APOLNET listserv?
- Do you plan to sell or share the e-mail addresses of APOLNET listserv subscribers?
- Who owns the listserv?
- If I have a compliment or a complaint who do I talk to?
Q: How do I subscribe/unsubscribe to the APOLNET Listserv?
A: To subscribe, visit the "Subscribe to the APOLNET Listserv" section of the website. To unsubscribe, visit the "Unsubscribe from the APOLNET Listserv" section of the website.
Q: How do I post a message?
A: To post a message, you must first sign up for the Listserv. If you've already subscribed, simply send an email to apolnet-l@list.web.net.
Q: I've tried emailing the APOLNET Listserv but the message doesn't appear to have been sent. What should I do?
A: The Listserv program only allows individuals with email addresses it recognizes to post messages. If you've changed
your email address recently, or if you're receiving APOLNET Listserv messages from a colleague rather than directly from us,
you may want to subscribe using your current email address. If you have a new email address, please help us keep our listserv current by unsubscribing your old address.
Also, the email address from which the listserv message was sent may be being blocked by your organization's spam filter. Please check with your system administrator that "apolnet-l@list.web.net" is on their "whitelist". If you are still having problems, please contact us.
Q: Do you have any guidelines for posting information?
A: Yes we do. Please review the APOLNET Listserv Guidelines before you post a message.
If you still have questions, please contact us.
Q: I'd like to post a document that our group just released. Should I attach it to my email message?
A: We discourage the use of attachments, unless they have been thoroughly checked for viruses, and saved as a PDF file or other
widely used portable format. If the document is less than two pages long, we encourage you to paste the text in the body of your email. If it's longer, or if you'd like to preserve the formatting, include it as an attachment only after ensuring it has no viruses. Both McAffee and Symantic Norton AntiVirus offer virus scanners.
Please note that not everyone will have the ability to open your document, so be prepared to deal with technical questions from individual listserv members. If you would like to save your file as a PDF file, you will first need Adobe Acrobat. If you have other questions, please contact us.
Q: I know people shouldn't be posting commercial messages but we have a fundraiser coming up and we would really like to get the word out. Can you help?
A: Our primary concern is that material posted on the APOLNET listerv be relevant and informative. The primary instrument on our website for disseminating information on upcoming events is our Calendar of Upcoming Events. If you would like to include information on a fundraising event, please preface it with background information on how this event advances the work of your non-profit or broader public sector organization and/or those involved in the substance abuse or injury prevention fields. If in doubt, contact us. Otherwise, you may run the risk of being unsubscribed.
Q: Can I let people know about an excellent resource our group has just produced?
A: Yes, as long as the resource helps to promote informed discussion about alcohol-related policy and programming issues
and is available at no/low/discounted cost to listserv members. If in doubt, please contact us.
Q: I've noticed that some messages are really long and hard to read. Do you have any tips for posting materials?
A: We're learning as we go along, but here are a few:
- Keep sentences short and paragraphs narrow.
- Leave space in between paragraphs.
- Include a table of contents at the top of emails with lots of information.
- Divide message sections with lines.
- Try to keep e-mail length to under 2 pages.
- If referring to documents available on the web, please include complete URL (that is, include "http://").
- Include your contact information.
- If information is time-sensitive, please indicate this at the top of your e-mail.
- If attaching documents, be sure to test them for viruses and to save them in different formats, including PDF.
- Test e-mail format by sending yourself the message, prior to posting it on the listserv. This will also allow you to clear up any confusing wording and avoid potentially embarrassing mistakes.
For additional guidelines, please see the Listserv Guidelines page.
Q: I don't want to receive listserv messages on a regular basis but I am interested in some of your topics. Do you archive old messages?
A: Yes. To view the APOLNET searchable archive go to www.web.ca/~apolnet/apolnet-l/maillist.html.
Q: Does the APOLNET Listserv offer a digest option?
A: Yes, both new or current subscribers may choose to receive Listserv mail batched in a daily digest. To select this option, visit the subscription page provided to you when you register. Alternatively, you may send an email message to apolnet-l-request@list.web.net, with the word help in the subject or body, and you will get back a message with instructions.
Q: I've heard you have monthly moderated Listserv topics. How do these work?
A: We do have bi-monthly discussion topics co-moderated by organizations with expertise in those areas. The purpose of these topics is to generate informed discussion about alcohol-related issues ranging from liquor licensing to impaired driving. A list of upcoming topics is available, as well as information on how to become a listserv moderator. Please note that Listserv members do not have to restrict themselves to posting comments, questions or resources related to the topic-of-the-month.
Q: Who subscribes to the APOLNET listserv?
A: The APOLNET listserv was officially launched on November 15, 2000, in commemoration of Drug Awareness Week. During its first
3 weeks of operation it attracted 120 subscribers. As of February 2002, there were close to 250 Listserv members. We do not request personally identifying information from subscribers. However, we have promoted this service widely to professionals active in addictions research, substance abuse and injury prevention, public health and safety, prevention and health promotion, alcohol and other drug policy and regulation, liquor licensing and community action across Ontario.
Q: Do you plan to sell or share the e-mail addresses of APOLNET listserv subscribers?
A: No. The purpose of this listserv is to enable groups of people with common interests to share ideas, information and resources with one another. It was set up as a public service. We respect the right to privacy of all listserv members and will not share or sell their e-mail addresses. For more information please review our privacy policy.
Q: Who owns the listserv?
A: The APOLNET listserv is owned by the Alcohol Policy Network, a project of the Ontario Public Health Association. It is a key component of the Alcohol Education Project, a collaborative initiative of the Association to Reduce Alcohol Promotion in Ontario, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, the Centre
for Addiction and Mental Health, The Health Communication Unit at the Centre for Health Promotion, and the Ontario Public Health Association's Alcohol Policy Network.
Q: If I have a compliment or a complaint who do I talk to?
A: We're always looking to improve, so if you have any comment, good or not so good, please contact us.