Shortly after I first posted my FAQ, I got one or two vicious
flames, where someone went on and on criticizing my FAQ in a
totally unconstructive way, i.e. without suggesting how I
might change it to make it better. I'm sensitive and was hurt
by that. I was afraid I might not be able to continue posting
a FAQ if I would keep getting email like that. So I put a
little section in my FAQ stating what kinds of email I accept.
It's worked wonderfully! I get polite, constructive email from
people who think things in the FAQ need to be changed, and I get
lots of postive email, and no flames at all. This is what
it says in my FAQ:
> Please send me comments and suggested additions. Polite
> criticism is welcome. Messages containing emotionally-charged
> criticism or strongly pejorative language will be ignored.
After putting this in, I haven't received any messages of
the category that I would ignore. (Over a year, I think.)
When people ask me very general questions like "Please send
me information about migraines", I simply suggest that they
read my FAQ and tell them they can ask me any specific
questions. The FAQ refers to books and stuff. They've
probably already read my FAQ; that's undoubtedly why they're
asking me for information on that topic; but by suggesting
that they read it, I'm politely giving them the idea, I
hope, that I don't have any general answer to "please send
me information" other than the FAQ itself. I also offer
to email them a copy of the FAQ, in case they can't get
it for technical reasons. Maybe one of these days if I
get annoyed enough about the "please send me information"
messages maybe I'll add a sentence to my FAQ like
"Specific questions about this FAQ or about migraines are
welcome, though there are many questions I may not be
able to answer. General questions like "please send me
information about migraines" are not useful; I would
just answer by telling you to read this FAQ. If you want
more information read the books listed here."
Cathy