HI, You all probably pretty much know what a mailing is is and what its for, but each List administrator has their own way of approaching management. I would like at this time to share mine with you. In 1999 when I first started (created) some of the list I still manage I wrote an email to a person asking questions about mailing lists.. Here is what I answered and still use to this day... Hi, What you are subscribed to is a mailing list. A mailing list is a group of people researching the same surname/ subject / or area of land, as the list's name. The email you send to the list goes out individually to each member of the list (including a copy back to you) from the server. We should email to the list address with who we are, whom / what we are trying to find and or what we would like to share with others. If like myself you have lots to offer then you state what you have and are willing to share. If you read an email that you can help with, then answer that email. Directly if you want to, but I ask that it be sent to the list so that all may share the information. (a copy is also stored in the archives.) If you find a website or anything that may help another member then send part of the info and the URL to the mailing list. When answering by reply to an email keep that subject in the subject line, but delete most of the first message so that it doesn't take up so much room. This keeps the messages together in the archives and uses less memory space. Change subject line when the body of the subject changes. Use subject lines accurately, in other words not just Help/need info but, a precise name and dates and place if you have it. A descriptive subject is much more likely to get a response as old timers sometimes wont read all emails and go by subject lines only. As long as the conversations between members of the list are about genealogy type things then by all means keep it on the list. But, if it is a private message, jokes..ect. then send it to the members private email address, not the list. List subjects should be kept on tract. When someone helps you, either privately or on the list let them know how much that help meant to you. Some times you can even let everybody know how helpful this person is by letting the list know. All of us need to be appreciated publicly once in a while. If you are offended by what someone has to say then still be courteous about your answer. Do not Flame anyone.. (Flaming will get you removed from the list for one week, repeated offense will be perminate removal) If you have a problem then bring it to the list's admin privately, for that is one of the jobs an administrator is supposed to do, be a moderator. The Administrator has the finale word about anything, except rootsweb.com policy which none will violate including the administrator. Even though we do not personally know each other, we are members of the same family, even if there is no connection by surname. For we are members of the family of genealogist, and it is by helping each other that we will keep our free study of our many varied histories. Also one other thing, before you send an email of someone elses to another party (person) have their permission. Rootsweb.com wants all of us to obey the copyright laws.. Direct advertisement of items for sale, must first be approved by rootsweb.com staff and your list administrator first. Grayscale, as we on the list adminrstors list call it will be allowed on this list... What is gray scale advertisement: example: in your email state something to the effect... I have volume 4 of the Heternia set that I no longer need.(you might give a defination of what the book is about) Please contact me off list.... another example: Hertage Plaques for the list are still available. If interested Please contact me off list. another example: While serfing the net I found a website where books (list name can be obtained) contact me off list... Grayscale is allowed by some list administrators and not by others, I believe that letting someone know there are books out there to help in research, is what we are about, but also that the rules must be followed. I hope this explains what a mailing list is, what it is for and how to use it. Nelda END OF MY 1999 message I hope that explains what/how I will be administrating this list Nelda List Administrator