>Consider this, though, gang: do we *really* want to have formal "rules of engagement" for anyone responding to messages asking for help?

Evan,

Any effort at formalizing these ideas will only ever be partially successful. Folks will not read them and learn the social graces the natural way.

I think having them soemwhere is a good thing so folks can be gently sent to read them to get the methods for getting the most out of the forum.