This is a periodic posting to uk.education.staffroom outlining the
charter and FAQs for the newsgroup. This, along with further 
information, can also be found at http://staffroom.wikispaces.com

New visitors are always welcome in this (usually!) friendly group, but 
please read the rules of the newsgroup before posting. Thank you.
______________________________________________

CHARTER of uk.education.staffroom(Not Moderated)

Uk.education.staffroom will exist only for the posting of humorous 
education-related anecdotes, stories etc., and the discussion thereof.

Serious discussions by/about teachers will be encouraged to take place 
in uk.education.teachers.

The real name of anyone mentioned must not be used, without prior
permission, unless that person is deemed to be a "public figure".

Advertising: No advertising will be permitted.

Binaries: Binaries will not be permitted.

Newsgroups line: uk.education.staffroom: Humorous discussion about
teaching.

______________________________________________

FAQs

This is the FAQ for the newsgroup uk.education.staffroom, last updated 
29/09/07.
It has been completely unapproved for well over 15 years now, but it is 
*still* the only one we've got.

1. The newsgroup itself
1.1 What is uk.education.staffroom?
It is a newsgroup for teachers and others, mainly inside education, to 
exchange funny stories and anecdotes, and generally boost morale by 
offering support to those who come laden with chocolate or biscuits or 
chocolate biscuits. It's also used for aimless chat, conjuring up 
amazing animals, and a myriad of other seemingly non-school related 
activities.


1.2 Why was it set up?
There were some people who objected to this sort of thing appearing on 
the newsgroup uk.education.teachers, so this group was created to help 
separate the funny stuff from the serious stuff. The jury is still out 
regarding whether or not the separation strategy has worked, or whether 
the funny stuff is funny. Of course, this being Usenet, there are those 
who now object to the funny stuff being posted here too - but that's T-
U-double UFF TUFF. If you are of this persuasion please bear in mind 
that there are plenty of other newsgroups out there - go police one of 
those instead. You can leave any chocolate or biscuits though.


1.3 Who can use it?
Anyone, although the vast majority of users are UK teachers (or teachers 
or lecturers or students or part of the noble army of support staff) 
with direct links to education. Advisory staff may be let in providing 
they are good (and bring chocolate *and* biscuits as they can afford 
both on their astronomical salaries). Inspectors are welcome - as long 
as they don't mind being graded on a scale of 1 to 4 where anything 
below 1 is considered to need serious improvement. The Bag is welcome to 
contribute anything at any time. Newbies and Not-Yet-Newbies will be 
treated gently (probably) providing they aren't rude and/or named 
Sheelurgh.


1.4 Who set it up? [obligatory narcissistic question]
The group was set up by Niall Saville, who also originally maintained 
this FAQ (see below). It will now be maintained by the NQT as soon as we 
can pin one down. That nice chap Chris Hawkins used to give up his web 
space for us to post this, but greebs has organised a Wikispace for us 
now.



2. What topics are allowed?
2.1 So what topics are allowed?
Anything remotely funny about education, grumbles about the education 
system and the lack of biscuits, dippy flakes or chocolate in general 
(as long as it doesn't get too serious, see above), and anything like 
that really. The odd (and some of them are *really* odd!) technical 
query is also welcome from those who are too scared to go to the scary 
place next door.


2.2 So I can publicly ridicule my head/deputy/governors then?
Well, yessss. But if the person is not a public figure, express
permission must be gained before the person is named. In other words, 
whilst jokes about the current education minister are encouraged, 
descriptions of what Mr Smith of Trumpton Comprehensive gets up to in 
his study are discouraged. Just leave out the names, bring biscuits - 
and perhaps some chocolate - and keep everyone happy.


2.3 I'm looking for teachers to help my class/website/bank account...
This isn't really the place. Why not try uk.education.teachers?


2.4 I sell labour saving devices for the classroom, can I..
No. Advertisements are not allowed. Not even for biscuits or 
confectionery. You have been warned!
Just to clarify, for these purposes:
Advertising is posting to the newsgroups with the express purpose of 
promoting goods or services with which they are involved, especially 
where they stand to gain financial reward from the process.

Subscribers who generally make posts related to the group, who stumble 
upon something which they think will interest their fellow users and who 
do not stand to gain from spreading the news about it, may share that 
piece of information, even if it is via a URL.
For example, bargain supplies of chocolate or biscuits advertised by a 
chocolate or biscuit producing company (or even a home worker) are not 
allowed. A post from The Bag to the Staffroom Hippo pointing out that 
there is a BOGOF offer of hippo-friendly chocolate or biscuits in the 
local Asdainsbursco store or on their website is perfectly within the 
charter rules. This is because it comes from someone who has been active 
in the newsgroup for long enough to know the interests and concerns of 
others who use the group, and who stems from a wish to share such 
information, with no gain for themselves or those connected to them, 
with their mates.

Having said that, we are not (all) eejits, and posts of the "I've just 
discovered this website, and thought you would be interested..." type 
are deplorable and an insult to the intelligence of even the most 
average Usenet user. Don't think about it!


2.5 My class have just scanned a picture...
Don't. No binaries may be posted here. If you must, post a link to the 
picture, but only if it falls within the rules (ie. it is funny).


2.6 This would be a great place to abuse teachers!
Don't be silly. Why do you need to abuse teachers? Don't you think they 
get enough from the Government? This place is for funny stories, not 
abuse, part from politicians and OFSTED/Estyn, who deserve all they get 
:). The Treatment may be considered abusive but, in most cases, it is 
necessary and clients report a subsequent easing of tensions.


2.7 The spelling here is atroshus!!
Who cares? This isn't a classroom. Does it really matter if a teacher 
makes a few typing / spelling errors whilst posting after a long day at 
work? (No, it doesn't.)


2.8 Can I smole and vome here?
Sorry, but smoling and voming are strictly prohibited in the staffroom 
in line with the new rules issued by the head. (Miss Trunchbull seems to 
have gone missing.) You can however donate chocolate. If you are unable 
to afford generous supplies of chocolate then biscuits are an acceptable 
alternative.



3. Offshoots of Uk.Education.Staffroom
3.1 Does anyone here do irc?
Yes, you can enter into group discussion with staffroom regulars through 
irc (Internet Relay Chat). To be honest most of the regulars can't cope 
with weeknight chats because they need their beauty sleep, but there's 
usually a stalwart or two around late on weekend evenings, and you can 
always post to the newsgroup asking when people are likely to be online.


3.2 What equipment do I need for irc?
Assuming you have an internet connection (and if you don't, how are you 
reading this, smartiepants?) then to join in you will need to load an 
irc client software such as mIRC or AdiIRC (amongst other programs). 
Some web browsers include irc as standard or as a free extension. mIRC 
is found on many cover discs. mIRC and AdiIRC can both be downloaded. 
mIRC is shareware whilst AdiIRC is freeware.


3.3 I've found some irc software. Now what?
Having got your program sorted out you then connect to an appropriate 
server and enter the room #staffroom (using the command "/join 
#staffroom" without the inverted commas). Having had some problems 
finding a current server that we were all able to access, some of our 
Firefox users came up with irc.mozilla.org which seems to do the trick. 
If you need further instructions shout for help in the staffroom. (Other 
IRCNet servers can be used, so if one is not letting you connect, you 
could try another, however you need to be aware that most different 
servers will carry a *different* staffroom and will automatically create 
a staffroom for you if you request to join one that does not exist. In 
this case, you could find yourself sitting all alone for a long
time, even if you've come armed with supplies of goodies!


3.4 Is there any other way to find out about Staffroom activities?
A mooch around the staffroom wiki (link above) should give you some idea 
of the various levels of insanity involved.



4. The FAQ
4.1 Who writes this thing?
The posters of uk.education.staffroom. The original FAQ was written by 
Niall Saville. It has since been butchered and stitched up.


4.2 How can I get in touch?
Post to the Staffroom! Did we mention what a good idea it is to bring 
biscuits and chocolate?



>:Bot:<