WELCOME to all new members

[John Walton]

No: HPFGUIDX 23965

It strikes this Moderator that this might be a useful mail to send to the
list at large. Please read it all the way through. There'll be a test later.

HARRY POTTER FOR GROWNUPS

A web version of this file (recommended) can be viewed here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/Admin%20Files/HPFGUWelcome
.htm

<<< We expect that you will fully understand the beauty of the softly
humming computer with its shimmering screen, the delicate power of energy
that can creep through human nerves, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the
senses... we can teach you how to bottle words, brew theories, even stopper
boredom... >>>

__________

Hello and welcome to the Harry Potter for Grownups discussion group!

This message comes to you on the finest grade e-parchment, direct from our
Hexquarters (located in a rarely seen, draughty wing of Hogwarts Castle).
Unlike the standard Yadda Yadda Yahoo! greeting, this document is actually
worth reading, as it tells you all you need to know about the club, its
crooked staircases and secret corridors.


_____WHO ARE WE? 

We're a diverse group of adults dedicated to in-depth, thought-provoking and
fun discussions of the Harry Potter books (and the movies, merchandising and
other aspects of the HP phenomenon). While there is no age requirement to
join the group, you should note that most of our members are over 18. Mature
teenagers may enjoy the group, but may find themselves more at home in a
group of their peers. We are a large group (well over 1,200 members now),
and we post a high volume of messages each day (usually between 50 and 150).


_____LIST ELVES 

We have a group of eight List Elves to help new members feel welcome and get
off to the right start in our group. You can expect a personal message from
one of the List Elves soon after you join the group. If you want to contact
the Elves before you post or to ask questions, please send an e-Owl to:
HP4GUElves at yahoo.com. Whatever you do, don't send them clothes - we'll never
see them again! 


_____FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We have a handy file for new members with answers to questions that are
often asked (called the VFAQs for short). We strongly encourage you to read
this file before posting anything to the group. You can find it at the
following link: 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/Admin%20Files/VFAQ.htm

A team of volunteers has also compiled a series of substantive FAQ-based
essays on topics ranging from Hermione Granger, through Wizarding World:
Geography to Animal Characters.  The content of these documents is drawn
from the 31,000+ messages posted to the list and about 60% of these are
available for viewing at:

http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/faq/


_____SISTER GROUPS 

We have several related groups that you should know about.

OT-Chatter (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPFGU-OTChatter) All Off-Topic and
some HP discussions (see the group description for details).

Announcements (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPfGU-Announcements) General
interest announcements (see group description for details).

Archives (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups-Archives) Contains our
first 7,000+ messages from our former Yahoo! Club.

Graphics; Chatscripts; HP-Tour: You can link to these groups from our Group
Portkey 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/%20%20Portkey.htm)


_____NETIQUETTE 

We ask you to pay attention to spelling, punctuation and grammar in your
posts, and stress that all members should observe common sense, courtesy and
good netiquette at all times. We strongly encourage you to read and follow
our Netiquette Guidelines:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/Admin%20Files/netiquetteTI
PS.htm


_____COMMONLY-USED SHORTHAND (ACRONYMS)

You'll soon find that many of our members employ some common HP-related and
general cyberspace shorthand when posting to the group. To help you navigate
this new language, we've created a file with commonly used shorthand terms
and acronyms. 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/Admin%20Files/HPforGrownup
s-shorthand.htm 

_____CLUB ACTIVITIES

We have weekly, targeted discussions (based on one or two chapters from one
of the books and a character summary or general topical sketch, such as
Hogwarts or Spells). You can find details on the upcoming discussions in the
Files section of the group
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/Discussion%20Summaries)

We have a lively chat every Sunday afternoon (evening in the UK & Europe),
and the details for joining the chat room can also be found in the Files
area. 

We almost always have member polls in progress, so please take a look at the
Polls section (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/polls).

Finally, keep an eye out for list announcements from Joywitch about our
regular quizzes and contests
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/HP4GU%20Contest/) Please
remember that all contest entries must be sent to HP4GUCon at aol.com and not
posted to the list.


_____LEGAL STUFF 

In posting to this group, you grant the Moderators the right and license to
use the content of your messages in other contexts. At this time, the
Moderators intend to use this permission only for purposes of archiving and
creating topical FAQs for the group, but reserve the right to use them for
other purposes. If you have any concerns about infringement of your
copyright, you are advised to contact the Moderators.


_____MAGICAL MODERATOR TEAM

Your Magical Moderator Team can be reached by e-Owl at:

HPforGrownups-owner at yahoogroups.com

Penny Linsenmayer (Houston, TX, USA)
Jim Flanagan (North Carolina, USA)
John Walton (New York, USA)
Neil Ward (London, UK)

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the List Elves
or the Moderators. We're here to help you!

The Magical Moderators HPforGrownups