Protocol: About the use of 'OT' in a subject line . . .

[Guest guest]

We use 'OT' in a subject line to signal to members who may not be interested

in such posts that they can safely skip it if they're in a hurry. This saves

everyone's time and temper. There is no criticism of the thread for a moderator

to mark it OT - just a way of indicating what kind of thing the discussion is *

not* about.

 

" OT " does not mean 'not permitted' - it means it is off the topic of the list

but

nevertheless of interest to the list. A recent example has been the discussion

of desserts. It's food, it's vegetarian, and why call it OT? Because this list

is

about *spicy* vegetarian food. A dessert with, say, jalapenos in it would of

course *not* be OT <grin>

 

Other designations are often used in subject lines in this or other groups to

help members sort their messages into those they will read attentively, those

they will skim quickly and those they will skip if they are in a hurry or not

interested. We have previously asked, for example, that posts containing

recipes should be clearly marked 'Recipe' so that members can spot them

quickly. Ya know?

 

Thanks for your cooperation!

 

Best,

 

Pat