FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Unit 499 Google Groups Mail Lists

Q. What is a Google Group Mail List?
A: It is a list of email addresses, belonging to people with a common interest. An email to the Group’s home email address will be broadcast to every member in the group, and will remain on the Group’s website. It is a system that started in the early days of the internet to allow a group of people with common interests to communicate with one another.

Q. What is the purpose of each of the two Unit 499 Google Group Mail Lists?
A: For the two groups:
(1) bridgepartner499 – This group helps members find bridge partners for games in our unit.  When one sends an email to bridgepartner499@GOOGLEGROUPS.COM it is automatically resent to every member of this mail list.
(2) diablo-valley-unit-499  – The purpose of this Group is to communicate Unit 499 events and business to its members. When one sends an email to diablo-valley-unit-499@GOOGLEGROUPS.COM, it is automatically resent to every member of this mail list.

Q: How do I sign up to be a member of a Unit 499 Google Group Mail List?
A: For the two groups:
(1) diablo-valley-unit-499 Group – You can send an email to Judy Keilin (jkeilin@pacbell.net) or you can go to http://groups.google.com/group/diablo-valley-unit-499, and click on “Subscribe”.
(2) bridgepartner499 Group – You can send an email to LynneHumphrey (lynnehumphrey@comcast.net)  or you can go to http://groups.google.com/group/bridgepartner499, and click on “Subscribe”.

Q. How do I send an email message to each of the Unit 499 Google Group Mail Lists?
A: There are two ways, providing you are a member of the Group:
(1) From the Home page of the Google Group Mail List, click on “+ new post” then compose and send the email. The Home Pages are: http://groups.google.com/group/bridgepartner499 and http://groups.google.com/group/diablo-valley-unit-499.
(2) Send an email to bridgepartner499@googlegroups.com or diablo-valley-unit-499@googlegroups.com.

Q. What does it mean to join or sign up for a Google Group Mail List?
A: Being a member allows you to send and receive messages to the Group List which will be rebroadcast to everyone who is a member.

Q. Once I join a Google Group Mail List, of what benefit is it to me?
A: In the case of the bridgepartner499 Group, you may receive an email from someone who needs a bridge partner, and you can reply to them. You might even need a partner and by emailing the Group, you might find one. You will not miss out on an opportunity to play at a game if you partner cancels at the last minute or if you are new to the game or area and are looking for compatible partners. In the case of the diablo-valley-unit-499 Group, you will receive announcements about Unit events such as new lesson series, special events, notification of eDeclarer posting on the website, and any other Unit499 announcements important enough to be broadcast to the 300+members of this Group.

Q: Who is the email contact for questions?
A: Judy Keilin (jkeilin@pacbell.net) for the diablo-valley-unit-499 Group, and Lynne Humphrey (lynnehumphrey@comcast.net) for the bridgepartner499 Group.

Q. Why are people posting to both of the Unit 499 Google Group Mail Lists? It’s like spam (unwanted emails) in my inbox. A: There will be some overlap, as there are members of bridgepartner499 who are not members of the diablo-valley-unit-499 Group. Occasionally there will be some messages sent to both Groups.

Q. What are the guidelines for using the Unit 499 Google Group Mail Lists?
A: Use bridgepartner499 for obtaining bridge partners for games, and diablo-valley-unit-499 for Unit business, such as announcements.

Q. How can one control the number of emails we receive from the Unit 499 Google Group Mail Lists?
A: Once you have joined a Google Group Mail List, you can select how you receive messages. Simply go to the Google Group Mail List Home page and click on “Edit My Membership”, click on your email preference, and “Save these settings”. If you choose “no email”, you will have to go to the Google Group Mail List home page to read new messages.

Q. How can I remove myself from a Google Group Mail List?
A: For bridgepartner499, send an email to Lynne Humphrey (lynnehumphrey@comcast.net). For diablo-valley-unit-499, send an email to Judy Keilin (jkeilin@pacbell.net).

Q. How should directors and bridge teachers use Unit 499 Google Group Mail Lists?
A: Join either the bridgepartner499 or diablo-valley-unit-499 Google Group Mail Lists and send your own announcements that will be received by everyone who has subscribed to the mail list, being sure to use diablo-valley-unit-499 for news and to use bridgepartner499 only for the purpose of finding partners.