Mailing information

In anticipation of the things some people want to know about mailing us, here's some answers ahead of time:

Who should I e-mail?

If it's something to do with an issue raised on this site, then you have to write to the author about it.  But if it's to do with a technical problem with the website, then you have to write to the webmaster.  Writing to the wrong one will not help you, they're different people and won't be able to answer your query.

What's a webmaster?

The webmaster is the person in charge of managing the webserver.  They configure it, write the codes that make webpages do their tricks, etc.  For this website the webmaster types the pages for the author, but doesn't create the content.  He can fix up typing and syntax errors, but the author is the one that decides what information is written on those pages.  If you have an concern about an issue that's raised on this website you must write to the author about it, the webmaster only handles technical matters.

Do I have to identify myself or provide my address?

• No, if you don't require a reply, although it's nicer when messages aren't anonymous, even if it's just your first name.
• Yes, you do need to provide an address if you want a reply—you'll need to handle that, the mail forms don't know who you are by magic.  Type it in carefully; and if your web browser automatically fills in forms for you, check that it does it correctly.

Why do I have to write a subject line describing the message?

Because it's how we sort one message apart from another.  Messages with no subject line, or useless descriptions in them, get lost amongst all the other messages.  Note that the subject line is for a brief synopsis of your message, actually write your message in the space meant for writing messages (even if this means some duplication), long subject lines are not very readable.

When can I expect a reply?

The webmaster usually checks the mail daily and responds there and then, the author checks far less frequently.  Don't ask questions of the webmaster that only the author can answer, you won't get a quicker response that way.

Why didn't I get a reply?

• You mightn't have sent your message properly, so it was never received.  Try again.
• You mightn't have provide a working address for us to write back to you.  Try again.
• Your query mightn't have been answerable, though you should probably receive a message back about this.
• Your query might need quite some time for the answer to be prepared, though you should receive an interim message advising you about this if it looks like it's going to take a very long time.
• If your message doesn't appear to solicit a reply, it might not get one.
• Offensive messages will probably not get any response from us.
• Messages that look like spam will probably get ignored, or automatically rejected by the anti-spam filtering.  Don't send spam, or messages that resemble spam.

Should I repeat a message?

• Yes, if you think it's got lost, or might never have arrived, or needed rewriting to be more answerable.
• No, if you're trying to spam or offend.

What'll be done with the information I supply?

Firstly, your information will most definitely not be supplied to anybody else, unless required by law, or to handle someone who's making a nuisance of themselves.  Your messages will be used in consideration of how this website is developed.  You may receive a reply to your message if it merits one.  Your messages will be considered confidential, unless you specify that you're providing a comment that can be quoted on the website—you'll have to make it clear that you'd like something quoted, and if you'd like yourself to be identifed with that quote.

What information do you collect?

See the website privacy policy for full details, but basically not very much other than enough to help with maintaining the site, and no different from just about every other service on the WWW.

Why don't you use an automatic forum for comments?

They're all-too-easily exploited, they often get filled with spam or offensive content.