Or
Rednecks, Riding a Winning Pony and Reader Suggestions
By Bill Hocutt
HI Yall. Now normally I don't repeat a subject cause I don't wanna bore you. I'm gonna break one of my own rules because of the overwhelming response to my Mail List Manners Column and answer a few questions and add a couple of rules that people suggested.
First the Answers
a) I have been writing this column on a monthly basis for a little over a year. It went weekly this month (August of 1999).
b) No, I am not a professional genealogist or anyone you would know writing under and assumed name. I am just Bill Hocutt (GFS Waffle, UnkHiram) sharing my thoughts with you.
c) Yes, the column is free and you can subscribe by sending me an email saying you wanna get it every week.
d) No, I aint being paid to write this column, but I am open to offers (Grin).
e) The Mailing lists I belong to are Alabama, Tuscaloosa County, Fayette County, Walker County Al., North Carolina, East Texas and the Black Sheep list.
f) Yes, I am the same person who does the AlabamaSites and the TexasSites Web Pages.
g) As far as credentials go I host the Alabama Gen Chat on AOL. I am an amateur Genealogist and still learning.
h) Yes, I will continue to write about all aspects of the hobby. I will review web pages, make suggestions, and tell you about the things that I try weather the work or not. I will occasionally review a book or software program. For those of yall who are interested in that type of column I plan on reviewing the DearMyrtle Column during September and the Tuscaloosa County Heritage Book as soon as I receive it. If you would like me to review a specific book or page please email me. Just for the record I will not write a good review for money, Like some of yall I have sometimes wondered if I was reading a review or a paid publicity release. I will always tell yall what I really think. Just to put all my cards on the table I do ask that any book I review be sent to me (with a few exceptions for books that catch my fancy.) The reason I do this is simple, I cannot afford to purchase a book just to review it.
Now finally, enough business on to the additional rules. My Granma always told me there are 3 thangs you don't discuss with your friends religion, politics and your Momma's cooking.
RULE 7: I don't bad mouth yalls religion so don't make jokes about mine. Before you are tempted to write some snide comment about Baptists, Catholics, Jews, Moslems, Hindus, Mormons or some other religion remember the person you are insulting may be the person who can help you.
RULE 8: Lets just not talk Politics. It is the 2nd fastest way to disrupt a list and destroy a friendship. I mean think about it even though most of us are rational intelligent folks some of yall still don't believe in black helicopters (they are real), UFO's, (I have ridden on them), Elvis Sightings (he works at the Jack in the Box in Greenville Texas) and that AT&T is trying to take over the world.
RULE 9: Remember the hiway runs both ways. If you offer to look up something for someone ----- DO IT! Then write them back. If Someone does a look up for you --- THANK THEM!
RULE 10: Another of my Personal pet peeves, If you ask me for info on one of my surnames I'm gonna send it as fast as I can then I'm gonna camp out at the computer waiting to hear back from you. So unless you want me to load up my old truck, my sixteen hunting dogs, and my kids and show up at your house at 3AM on Christmas morning ANSWER the email. Even if it is just to say "Sorry, no Connection."
Well I'm gonna put up my soapbox now but remember Genealogy should be fun. If you aint enjoying yourself you doing sumptin wrong.
Adios and Keep Smiling
If you enjoyed this article I would like
to invite you try
I would also like to invite you to try
some of my fiction
I would also like to recomend you try
by DearMyrtle
http://members.aol.com/dearmyrtle/beg11.htm
