FAQ PFMODELS

Frequently asked questions

Below is a collection of replies to the most frequently asked questions about the PFMODELS discussion list.

- How does an e-mail discussion list work?
- What type of pesticide fate models are we talking about on PFMODELS?
- How does PFMODELS relate to other initiatives?
- What can I post on PFMODELS?
- What should not be posted on PFMODELS?
- Can I post messages with attachments?
- How is the PFMODELS list run? What is JISCmail?
- Will I receive (more) unsolicited e-mails if I subscribe to PFMODELS?
- Who else is on the PFMODELS list?
- How can I send a message to the PFMODELS list?
- What e-mail commands are available on PFMODELS?
- What should I do if I experience any problem?
- What if I have deleted my welcome message with its useful information?
- Where can I send comments and suggestions about the PFMODELS list?
- How can I unsubscribe from the list?
- Can I store files for download on www.pfmodels.org?
- Who is the list owner? How can I contact him?

How does an e-mail discussion list work?
The principle of an e-mail discussion list is to have a community of individuals interested in the same topic area (pesticide fate modelling on PFMODELS). Any message send to the list will be distributed to all the members of the list.

What type of pesticide fate models are we talking about on PFMODELS?
The word 'model' is taken here in its widest sense and may range from simple equations or spreadsheets to complex codes. The wording 'pesticide fate' was selected to reflect the fact that a wide range of models covering a wide range of processes are covered by the list. These may include for instance models for sorption, degradation, drift, leaching, run-off, volatilisation and models for fate of pesticides in surface water or groundwater. Please note that although the list is run from the UK, PFMODELS is not restricted to pesticide fate models used in the UK or Europe.

How does PFMODELS relate to other initiatives?
The PFMODELS discussion list is independent and is not part of other current initiatives, e.g. FOCUS or FP6, the Sixth Framework programme of the European Community. It may however be used as a media for discussion of these initiatives.

What can I post on PFMODELS?
Postings may include, but are not limited to:
- questions;
- opinions;
- announcement of meetings, seminars, workshops or conferences;
- reports of meetings, seminars, workshops or conferences;
- research calls and studentships;
- calls for collaboration;
- useful resources (e.g. software, articles, books, reports, web sites);
- miscellaneous news items related to the topic area;
- job vacancies.

Please note that there are things you are not supposed to post on PFMODELS. See below.

What should not be posted on PFMODELS?
ADVERTISING
The advertisement of materials or services to the PFMODELS community should not be posted. If in doubt about the appropriateness of a posting, please contact the list owner who will be able to advise. If the message is suitable, the list owner will forward it to the list.

VIRUS WARNINGS
The large majority of virus warnings circulated by e-mail are hoaxes and virus warnings should therefore not being posted on the list (even if you think this is not a hoax!). By personal experience, it is very wise to have an antivirus software installed on your machine and to keep it up-to-date.

Can I post messages with attachments?
The posting of attachments to the list should be avoided wherever possible as attachments 1) are used to propagate viruses; and, 2) increase the size of messages (not all list members will have a fast internet connection and most will have size restrictions on their mail box).

If you have a file you want to share with list members, you could:
- send a message to the list offering to send the file directly to anyone who is interested;
- ask the list owner to store the file on the PFMODELS web page (see below);
- put the file on your local web site and post the URL to the list.
Please contact the list owner if in doubt about what you should do.

If you decide to post an attachment to the list, the content of MS Word documents should be pasted as text in e-mail messages. In cases where this is not possible, it is recommended that Adobe pdf files are circulated as these can be made small and are unlikely to contain viruses. In any case, please avoid sending any attachment >100-200 KB.

How is the PFMODELS list run? What is JISCmail?

The list is run using JISCmail, a service provided to UK academics and support staff to create, manage or join electronic discussion lists. Please visit the JISCmail website for more information on JISCmail.

Will I receive (more) unsolicited e-mails if I subscribe to PFMODELS?
No. The membership list is confidential and is only used by JISCmail staff and the list owner for the purpose of managing the list. Details of your subscription (name and e-mail address) will NOT be made available to third parties. Spamming is taken very seriously by JISCmail.

Who else is on the PFMODELS list?
There were 140 individuals registered with the PFMODELS discussion list on 1 September 2002. The membership list is strictly confidential (see previous FAQ).

How can I send a message to the PFMODELS list?
You need to register first (see Joining the PFMODELS list). Registered members can post a message to the list by sending an e-mail to PFMODELS@jiscmail.ac.uk. The message will be distributed to all list members.
You are invited to use an informative title for your message.

What e-mail commands are available on PFMODELS?
The main commands are detailed in the welcome message that you will receive after you register with PFMODELS. For a detailed list of e-mail commands, visit www.jiscmail.ac.uk/help/commandref.htm

What should I do if I experience any problem?
Please send an e-mail to the list owner (PFMODELS-request@jiscmail.ac.uk) or the JISCmail helpline (jiscmail-helpline@jiscmail.ac.uk) who will be happy to help. You may wish to read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) first at www.jiscmail.ac.uk/

What if I have deleted my welcome message with its useful information?
Please contact the list owner who will send you the message again.

Where can I send comments and suggestions about the PFMODELS list?
Feedback and comments on the list are welcome and should be addressed to PFMODELS-request@jiscmail.ac.uk.

How can I unsubscribe from the list?
Send a message to jiscmail@jiscmail.ac.uk with the following text in the BODY of the message: "leave PFMODELS" (delete the quotation marks from the actual message). The next line should contain two minus signs (i.e. "--") and only those two signs. If you experience any problem with unsubscribing, please contact the list owner.

Can I store files for download on www.pfmodels.org?
Yes, providing this does not infringe copyright. This will provide your work with a good exposure to the pesticide fate modelling community. Your files will be stored in a "storage / download" section which will be directly accessible from the navigation menu on the left. The extra-charge associated with the increase in web space (GBP 1.28 /MB/year) may be passed on to you.

Who is the list owner? How can I contact him?
The current list owner of the PFMODELS discussion list is Igor Dubus. You may find out more about him and his research interests here. To contact him, please send a message to PFMODELS-request@jiscmail.ac.uk.