8688 Version 1.07 Layerdude1989@yahoo.com 310 424 9038 888 476 8954 Upgraded 1/10/08.

This document is http://www.lawyerdude.netfirms.com/8688.html

Lesson #1: Fundamentals of Email.

Hey, grasshopper, learn some email manners !

I don’t care what you send to other folks, but if you want me to work for you then you should upgrade your email skills. In particular, if you send a post to be posted to my discussion group and your subject line is wrong I may reject the post.

1. Write your own subject line.

2. Clip the tail unless it is pertinent - especially if the previous email was long. The tail is that string of previous messages that automatically gets appended to your email. Sometimes they are useful - especially if they are short.

3. Write your short message entirely in the subject line.

Write your own subject line. Don’t use the previous subject line unless it is appropriate. Often the subject line conveys the entire message such as “I vote yes on your proposal to buy a scanner. The subject lines are listed in the archive of messages to my Yahoo group. Often the true subject of the post does not match the subject/ header line because the writer is too lazy. Don’t be a lazy writer. Years ago the custom was to recognize a conversational thread by the subject line. Today the computer automatically tracks the thread; you can use the subject/ header line for its true purpose: to summarize the post or give it a title.

4. Here are some other this to include in the subject line.

a. Telephone number.

Maybe. For sure if you want a call back. Write your telephone number in the subject line if you want a call back. Better yet: Adjust your email browser so that it automatically writes your telephone number in your signature line.

b. Your client number.

Write your client number and/ or chronology number on the subject line. This permits me to find your electronic folder easier. It permits me to file your email easier. I know: A better email program will file automatically.

5. Remind me in the first line: When is your next court date?

6. Discuss only one subject per email. Write that subject in the subject line. If you have another subject then write another email with a pertinent subject line.

7. Write your response above the tail. Do not interlineate. This means: Don’t write your answer below the previous email. Exception: Sure, interlineate if appropriate, like if you have 3 or more interlineations and your comments are answers to the lines.

8. Do not write in ALL CAPS. Some people named Julie have their msn mail name in ALL CAPS.

9. Fix your email name if it is broken. I have dumbass clients with email names like “none none”, “user name”, “ratsystem”, “loneranger”. Each time I try to sort their mail I must click up my client list to find out their true name and client number so that I can file their email in Yahoo email files - and so that I can strip any important message from the email and insert it into their chronology which is not part of the email system.

10. Got AOL? AOL sucks. If you use AOL then you suck too. Get a Yahoo email address for free in 4 minutes at www.mail.yahoo.com AOL censors any message with the word “Lawyerdude” in it. That’s because I publish a Supreme Court opinion in which the Supreme Court talks about the F word. Therefore AOL think that it is pornography. Buncha dumbasses.

11. Use the automatic signature function so that each of your emails automatically prints your name, phone number, address, whatever you want.

12. Don’t use bcc ! BCC is “blind carbon copies.” We all need to respond to all recipients; what’s the big secret.

13. Do not send a short file as an attachment; paste it into the text box. Ron Fox is a big offender here. He sends me an email with a 10 word attachment. Then I must let my email program scan the attachment. Then I must save the attachment and then read it. Often Ron’s entire message is one name, like the name of the court reporter. He should write that in the subject line.

14. Don’t send zip files. Nobody uses them anymore. That is 80s technology.

15. Send only well known attachments such as pdf doc jpg mpg avi txt. Do not send TIFF etc.