Australasian Mortality Data Interest Group (AMDIG)

Terms of reference

19 November 2003

The committee meets annually on a face to face basis and at other times by teleconference as required. Its overall function is to facilitate information sharing relating to the collection, collation, coding, dissemination and analysis of causes of death data in Australia, New Zealand and potentially within the Asia-Pacific region.

Communication

  • Provide a forum for exchanging mortality information issues for users and information managers
  • Provide a link between local mortality information issues and international developments

Technical discussion

  • Provide advice to managers and users of mortality information on technical standards related to data collection, analysis and reporting

Policy discussion

  • Provide advice to managers of mortality information on policy and procedures
  • Promote the scope, coverage and quality of mortality information

Communication mechanisms

  • meetings
  • newsletters
  • bulletin boards
  • list servers
  • web sites

 

Meetings

8 May 2003 Agenda Minutes
18 November 2003 Agenda Minutes
20 November 2003 Agenda Minutes
23 June 2004 Agenda Minutes
29 November 2004 Agenda Mintues
23-24 November 2006 Agenda Mintues

AMDIG discussion list - user guidelines

 

The Australasian Mortality Data Interest Group (AMDIG) discussion list allows members to communicate via e-mail. The discussion list is administered by the National Centre for Classification in Health, Brisbane using the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Interest Group software.

The interest group software program contains subscribers' e-mail addresses. Each time a message is posted to the list, the program automatically forwards the message to all listed e-mail addresses. You must subscribe to receive and post messages to the AMDIG discussion list.

Information and the rules for using QUT e-mail services are located at: http://www.its.qut.edu.au/governance/policies.jsp

Purpose of the AMDIG discussion list

The AMDIG discussion list provides an opportunity to communicate with all list subscribers about issues relating to the collection, coding, collation, dissemination and use of mortality data. It also encourages establishment of one-to-one contact with colleagues to address specific questions or topic areas.

How to use the discussion list

Posting messages

To post messages to the discussion list send an e-mail to: amdig@qut.edu.au

When you send a message to this address, your e-mail is sent to everyone who is subscribed to the list.

Replying to a posted message

Using the 'reply' or the 'reply to all' feature of your e-mail program to respond to a message - your reply is sent to all who are subscribed to the discussion list.

Subscribing

To subscribe to the AMDIG discussion list send an e-mail containing ‘Subscribe AMDIG’ in the subject line, and in the body of the message your first name, family name, organisation and e-mail address to: ncch.brisbane@qut.edu.au

Unsubscribing

To unsubscribe from the AMDIG discussion list send an e-mail containing ‘Unsubscribe AMDIG’ in the subject line, to: ncch.brisbane@qut.edu.au

Getting help

If you encounter any problem using the discussion list please e-mail: ncch.brisbane@qut.edu.au

Auto replies

Using automatic replies on list-servers can cause bouncing messages – a continual loop of the same message. QUT Information Technology Services have modified the QUT Interest Group software to prevent bouncing messages. There is no need to unsubscribe from the AMDIG discussion list when setting auto replies.

Changing your e-mail address

If your subscribed e-mail address is changed, you will need to unsubscribe the old address and resubscribe to the discussion list with the new address.

Size limit on posted messages

Because the discussion list is sent to a large number of subscribers, there is a limit on the size of a message which can be posted, including attachments. Etiquette

  • Use a brief, clear subject phrase which allows quick identification of the purpose of your message
  • Keep discussion in line with the purpose of the discussion list. Off-the-topic postings should be ignored or replied to individually and in private
  • Sign all messages and include your e-mail address. Do not post anonymous mail
  • When replying to messages, use your e-mail ?reply to? or ?reply to all? setting which will preset your subject as re: xyz (the same as original message). This helps list subscribers to identify relevant topics and follow the thread of discussion
  • Advertising by commercial groups is not permitted on the discussion list
  • When replying to a message sent to the list, do not post the original message or signatures back to the list as part of your message
  • Avoid ‘me-too’ or other simple confirmation responses. This does not add anything new to the discussion and can create confusion
  • The AMDIG discussion list is G-rated. Do not write anything personally or professionally insulting or defamatory to other subscribers
  • Subscribers posting survey questions for research data collection should include a personal e-mail address so subscribers can reply directly
  • Use plain text and easy to read fonts. Do not write messages in UPPER CASE as it is very difficult to read