ASHA-Related Questions
Software-Related Questions
Netiquette
ASHA-Related Questions
Does the National Office monitor these lists?
Yes, ASHA staff do monitor the ASHA Member Forums in order to provide support, but may not always be aware of every issue and every message. If you have a question or a problem with the software or a posted message, contact the Webmaster at webmaster@asha.org. If you find a message posted which may be in violation of the Code of Ethics, please file a complaint with the Board of Ethics just as you would have done had you learned of a violation off-line.
How can I address questions to ASHA?
You can:
Who can access the ASHA Forums?
Unless otherwise noted in a specific forum, only members of ASHA and NSSLHA who are current with their dues have the ability to access the forums. Verification is done through an authentication process on the site that requires members to enter their names and membership numbers, then select a username and password to protect their login.
Why can't I post anonymously in the ASHA Forums?
The forums exist to create a community of professionals who share information, problems, and solutions. Consider the forums as an extension of the ASHA convention. Wouldn't you feel strange receiving information or taking advice from someone at a convention who had a paper bag over their head and their hand over their name tag?
There are many dangers inherent in anonymous messages, including libel, defamation, or otherwise illegal statements that are untraceable to the source. Anonymous posting is often anti-community as it tends to be used to make attacks (in the form of sarcasm, snide comments, or "flames") on other users. Similarly, anonymous messages do not allow for people to connect thoughts and opinions to actual people, which is one of the ways that community builds.
How long do messages remain in the ASHA Forums?
Generally, messages will remain on the forum so long as they have been active within the last two months, then they are archived. This policy may change to accommodate heavily used Forums or less active Forums.
I want to send a response to someone who posted a question, but I don't want it to appear on the Forum. Can I do this?
Yes. After every post is a button with the letters PM. Clicking this button allows you to send a private message to that author. You can also click on the author's name, and access his or her e-mail address to send the author a private e-mail.
I would like to read all the new messages, without having to navigate around with all the folders and discussions. How can I do that?
At any spot within the forums, you can click on the Forum Options or Topic Options to subscribe to that area and automatically track discussions for that particular area. When someone posts a new message to that area, you will receive an email notification.
Alternatively, you can use the "Recent Topics" link to see all of the most recently created topics or the "Active Topics" link to see which topics have seen recent activity.
Netiquette
Why shouldn't I use all capital letters?
It's considered shouting.
Why shouldn't I reply to messages to thank someone?
If you wish to send thanks, send it to their e-mail rather than the Forum. This helps reduce clutter on the forums. On the other hand, if someone truly went out of their way to help you, a long post full of effusive thanks is one way to endear yourself to the community and to encourage similar help in the future!
What are the standards for behavior?
See the ASHA Community Guidelines for information about the community norms with regard to how you treat your fellow participants and acceptable topics of discussion.
Someone has copied a message I posted in the forums in another place (outside the forums)! OR Someone copied something into the forums from outside the forums, and I don't think they are the author. What should I do?
These are both actions that violate the current community guidelines. Contact the person or webmaster who has responsibility for the post or the area and indicate that the message has been copied without permission and request that the message be removed. (See Caroline Bowen's page for some real-world examples of this issue.)
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