Ways to Use [archived]
We encourage members to use the network in whatever ways feels right to them, but here are some suggested uses: |
General Advice about Posting
Joining the network is like signing up to a mailing list where you can choose which sections of the list to interact with, and can select whether to receive messages by email (which we recommend) or by logging into the platform. You can contact the whole group by emailing [email protected] , and by logging into the platform you can choose which members to contact. Send to Some, Post to All When composing a message, members choose whether to 'send' messages by email or to 'post' them on the platform. As a rough guide, we recommend that members send messages directed at sections of the group, and post messages for the whole group (which will be included in the next emailed newsletter). Subject Headings For all posts and messages we recommend that the sender uses a subject heading that summarizes which section of the group is being contacted, and why, e.g.: [Query – 16th Century Italian] Help Translating Tasso [Request – London] Reference Check at British Library? [CfP – 17th Century Digital Humanities] RSA Panel on Digital Scholarship [Writing Opportunity – All Group] Renaissance Weekly Magazine For all posts that make requests, please provide a brief introduction to your work, explain what assistance you need, and if there's anything you can offer in return (e.g. acknowledgement, collaboration). |
Composing a Message
When composing a message, listing an event, or starting a poll:
Above the subject-heading, choose 'all group' for messages meant for the whole network (that we recommend you 'post only') and 'specific members' to select recipients using the filters (click on the column headings, e.g. period, language interests, to select sub-groups)
Write your title and message in the space like a normal email, and add any links or attachments using the options at the bottom.
In the bottom-right corner, choose 'send' to send the message by email, or click the arrow to the right and select 'post only' to post it on the platform.
Reply / Follow Up
Members can reply to messages by email or by logging in. Click 'reply' to contact the sender only, and 'reply all' to contact the whole group. When replying on the platform 'public comment' is equivalent to 'reply all' (and will also be sent by email, even if the original post was not) and 'private conversation' is the same as 'reply'.
Senders know who has seen a post and who has clicked on any links, and can send follow up messages to those who did (or did not) respond to the original message.
1. Ask for help reading/translating a foreign-language text
Start a discussion using the language/period filters in the directory to identify which members you wish to contact, e.g. for help reading a sixteenth-century Dutch text select the filters ‘Dutch’ and ‘sixteenth-century’, and add/remove recipients as desired. Then 'send' to that sub-group.
2. Ask for help reading a manuscript
Start a discussion using the appropriate language filters and/or ‘palaeography’ research interetsts. You can include an image of the manuscript in the message.
Alternatively, set up a quick poll inviting members to choose between alternative readings. Then 'send' to that sub-group.
3. Ask for someone to check a reference in a library/ask for help accessing an archive
Start a discussion selecting recipients by city or university, and then send to that sub-group.
4. Ask a question or for reading suggestions when working on an unfamiliar national literature/period/ research interest
Again, start a discussion using the appropriate filters to send the email to the most relevant repicients. Use the subject-heading/first line of your email to explain which sub-set of the group you are contacting and why, and then send to that sub-group.
5. Ask an Expert/Find a Collaborator
Use the filters and search options to find members of the directory who have the expertise that you need for your research. Then start a quick chat (for five or fewer recipients) or start a discussion (for more than five) to seek help and send.
If the network doesn’t have any members with the expertise you’re seeking, write your message and post only to the platform -- your request for help will be included in the next newsletter.
6. Invite members to/generate discussion around an event
Create a new event, and then invite repicients by selecting members using the filters. Event messages are largely similar to discussion messages (and we also recommend that you send to some or post to all). By sending the message you have, in effect, set up a mailing list just for that event and can follow up with people who respond/don’t respond.
7. Suggest a meet-up with members in your area/the area you’re visiting
Set up a quick poll, using filters to send the message only to those who might be interested. Once you've received responses, follow up by creating a new event/poll with everyone who is interested.
8. Share news about events/publications/blog posts/happenings of general interest to the whole group
Start a discussion but select post only, not send. Your post will be visible on the platform immediately, and we'll include it in the next newsletter.
9. Offer assistance to school teachers about English Literature pre-1800
We're working with fellow BARSEA project Academics in the Classroom to create a channel for English school teachers to request advice and resources from academics when teaching pre-1800 English literary texts. Simply tick 'English Outreach' on your profile to join the conversation. Get in touch if you're interested in extending this channels to other school subjects (e.g. History, French).
10. Host a existing group/mailing list (or start a new one)
There are two ways to do this (both requiring help from managers): add a new research interest to the registration form so that you can easily identify members of your group and contact them. It’s also possible to set up a new public or private sub-group that runs autonomously with its own settings (like the public Noticeboard does). We’d love to host existing groups who want to use the platform to help them communicate – get in touch with the group managers to talk about it.
When composing a message, listing an event, or starting a poll:
Above the subject-heading, choose 'all group' for messages meant for the whole network (that we recommend you 'post only') and 'specific members' to select recipients using the filters (click on the column headings, e.g. period, language interests, to select sub-groups)
Write your title and message in the space like a normal email, and add any links or attachments using the options at the bottom.
In the bottom-right corner, choose 'send' to send the message by email, or click the arrow to the right and select 'post only' to post it on the platform.
Reply / Follow Up
Members can reply to messages by email or by logging in. Click 'reply' to contact the sender only, and 'reply all' to contact the whole group. When replying on the platform 'public comment' is equivalent to 'reply all' (and will also be sent by email, even if the original post was not) and 'private conversation' is the same as 'reply'.
Senders know who has seen a post and who has clicked on any links, and can send follow up messages to those who did (or did not) respond to the original message.
1. Ask for help reading/translating a foreign-language text
Start a discussion using the language/period filters in the directory to identify which members you wish to contact, e.g. for help reading a sixteenth-century Dutch text select the filters ‘Dutch’ and ‘sixteenth-century’, and add/remove recipients as desired. Then 'send' to that sub-group.
2. Ask for help reading a manuscript
Start a discussion using the appropriate language filters and/or ‘palaeography’ research interetsts. You can include an image of the manuscript in the message.
Alternatively, set up a quick poll inviting members to choose between alternative readings. Then 'send' to that sub-group.
3. Ask for someone to check a reference in a library/ask for help accessing an archive
Start a discussion selecting recipients by city or university, and then send to that sub-group.
4. Ask a question or for reading suggestions when working on an unfamiliar national literature/period/ research interest
Again, start a discussion using the appropriate filters to send the email to the most relevant repicients. Use the subject-heading/first line of your email to explain which sub-set of the group you are contacting and why, and then send to that sub-group.
5. Ask an Expert/Find a Collaborator
Use the filters and search options to find members of the directory who have the expertise that you need for your research. Then start a quick chat (for five or fewer recipients) or start a discussion (for more than five) to seek help and send.
If the network doesn’t have any members with the expertise you’re seeking, write your message and post only to the platform -- your request for help will be included in the next newsletter.
6. Invite members to/generate discussion around an event
Create a new event, and then invite repicients by selecting members using the filters. Event messages are largely similar to discussion messages (and we also recommend that you send to some or post to all). By sending the message you have, in effect, set up a mailing list just for that event and can follow up with people who respond/don’t respond.
7. Suggest a meet-up with members in your area/the area you’re visiting
Set up a quick poll, using filters to send the message only to those who might be interested. Once you've received responses, follow up by creating a new event/poll with everyone who is interested.
8. Share news about events/publications/blog posts/happenings of general interest to the whole group
Start a discussion but select post only, not send. Your post will be visible on the platform immediately, and we'll include it in the next newsletter.
9. Offer assistance to school teachers about English Literature pre-1800
We're working with fellow BARSEA project Academics in the Classroom to create a channel for English school teachers to request advice and resources from academics when teaching pre-1800 English literary texts. Simply tick 'English Outreach' on your profile to join the conversation. Get in touch if you're interested in extending this channels to other school subjects (e.g. History, French).
10. Host a existing group/mailing list (or start a new one)
There are two ways to do this (both requiring help from managers): add a new research interest to the registration form so that you can easily identify members of your group and contact them. It’s also possible to set up a new public or private sub-group that runs autonomously with its own settings (like the public Noticeboard does). We’d love to host existing groups who want to use the platform to help them communicate – get in touch with the group managers to talk about it.