[LM_NET] REMINDER: TARGET/HIT - An Important LM_NET Discussion Tool

[Michelle Walker <michellekwalker@GMAIL.COM>]

This is just a friendly reminder to members about the use of TARGETs and
HITs to streamline discussion.   Whenever possible, please use the
TARGET/HIT process when gathering information in order to minimize the
traffic on the listserv.

TARGETs allow members to post a question to the group with the intent of
gathering off-list replies and sharing the results back to the group as a
HIT.  This is an excellent way for members to share ideas, give examples,
and provide information without a flood of messages directly to everyone on
the list.  It also makes for easier reference to have all answers in a
single post, and as some have pointed out, much easier to retrieve the
information from the archives.  Thanks for helping us effectively use these
tags to effectively gather and share information.  For clarification:

TARGET/HIT-> AN LM_NET DISCUSSION TOOL

Your LM_NET moderators recommend an very effective way to focus our
discussions, and make them more valuable in the process. This may seem a bit
more formal that is common on most groups, but it will serve us well as we
grow (we now have more than 15,000 people reading LM_NET.)

We recommend that you specifically TARGET-> your queries, and use a HIT->
summary to share their responses received.

That is, when someone wants information about a topic (e.g., online
catalogs), they should ask for people to respond to them directly, and after
a period of time, post a summary or compilation of responses.
The originator of the TARGET-> question uses that term in the subject line
of the initial question that is posted to the entire group.

For example, "TARGET-> Choosing Online Catalogs - November 2001." would
appear in the subject line of the message. In the body of the message the
person might say something like the following:

"Hi, this is Mike Eisenberg. I would like to TARGET-> Choosing Online
Catalogs. I'd like to find out how others on LM_NET are choosing their
Online Catalogs. If people will respond to me, I'll compile your responses
and post A HIT-> on the topic back to the entire LM_NET."

Then, when enough responses are collected, the originator summarizes or
compiles the responses, and posts the summary as a HIT-> so everyone on the
list can read, _if_ they are interested. This is a terrific way to add value
to the list. Be sure to restate your
original request at the top of the Hit, so that readers will quickly
understand the purpose of the Hit.

E-mail addresses: If you plan to include the names and e-mail addresses of
those who reply, state it in your Target (e.g., "I will
include your e-mail address in my Hit. Please let me know if you wish to
remain anonymous.") This will give the person the option, and may result in
more replies to your Target. Remember, all LM_NET messages are sent to a
public archives which may be accessed by anyone.

The TARGET/HIT-> approach is particularly effective when someone has a
specific question that needs a variety of suggestions, experiences,
practices or sources. It is not _always_ appropriate. The intent of
TARGET/HIT-> is to make LM_NET more valuable to its growing list of members.

SUMMARY: TARGET/HIT-> is a four-step process:

1. The TARGET-> originator proposes the subject for answering/commenting.
i.e., TARGET-> Choosing Online Catalogs.

2. Those interested in the subject send their responses to the _originator_
of the TARGET-> question. Please do NOT post the response to the group.

3. TARGET-> originator summarizes or collates the responses, and then,

4. Posts the summarized responses to the entire list, using the original
subject of their message as a HIT->.  i.e., HIT-> Choosing Online Catalogs.

You can view our LM_NET Reminders at
http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/reminders.htm.

You can view our LM_NET Guidelines at
http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/eti.html.

-- 
Michelle Walker
Co-Moderator, LM_NET and El-Announce with LM_NET Select
Librarian, Hamilton Union High School District
620 Canal Street / PO Box 488
Hamilton City, CA  95951
(530) 826-3261
http://www.glenn-co.k12.ca.us/ham-hs/library.html
michellekwalker@gmail.com

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