Posting to the group or replying privately by e-mail?
Rec.gardens.ecosystems is intended as a group to discuss the ecosystems of home gardens and the outgrowth of groups is social interaction. It is this social interaction that gives each group its own personality. Groups can become too social causing a loss of focus or purpose. They can also become too content centered causing the group to feel cold and lifeless. Every group member shares a certain responsibility in maintaining the right balance. It comes down to knowing what kind of social interchange between group members should be posted publicly through the group or sent privately through e-mail. The rule of thumb is that if the message is totally social, it should probably go e-mail but there’s nothing wrong with a few jibes or chuckles being included in a group post if the context is on-topic. Needless to say personal flames don’t belong in a group. If you find someone’s remarks or manner offensive and you feel the need to say something, write a friendly and private note by e-mail
