Afternoon everyone, I think sometimes we often forget that not all subscribers are "old hands" and some may indeed be very new to mailing lists, so I'm just listing some general tips and reminders for newbies and oldies alike, that may be helpful (and probably apply to most other lists as well) and generally assist with the smooth running of the list ... ** List Mode : When you subscribe to any Rootsweb mailing list in "List" mode, you receive each and every email sent to the list as a single email, usually within a short time after it is sent. To subscribe in "List" mode, you must use the "L-request" address (L=List) - so if you want to un-sub from the List at any time you must also use the L-request address to do so. ** Digest Mode : Ditto as above, but in "Digest" mode you receive one email, usually on a daily basis, with all the messages sent to the list contained in an attachment. To subscribe in "Digest" mode, you must use the "D-request" address (D=Digest) - so if you want to un-sub from the Digest at any time you must also use the D-request address to do so. Easy to remember ... to sub and unsub L-request =List mode and D-request = Digest. The ONLY time you use the L-request and D-request address is when you want to "request" to subscribe or unsubscribe. ** To send a message to the list, all subscribers should use AUS-NSW-HILLS-HAWKESBURY-HUNTER-VALLEY-L@rootsweb.com regardless of what mode you are subscribed in. Those subscribers in List mode will (usually) receive your email in their inbox a short time after you send it. Other subscribers in Digest mode will receive your message at a later time, when the daily Digest is sent out. The above instructions are contained in the welcome message you receive when you first subscribe, so if you have not saved yours for future reference, then you may like to save this email for future reference :) ** If at anytime you want to check what Rootsweb mailing lists you are subscribed to - and with what address (as some people have more than one email) - then the following link does come in handy http://passwordcentral.rootsweb.com/ ** You may sometimes see a message to the list with {not a subscriber} in the subject heading. This means that the person who sent the message is (a) not subscribed to the list or (b) they may be sending their message to the list from a different address to what they are subscribed in. Rootsweb is pretty finicky with email addresses and only recognises those addresses subscribed to the list. Anything 'different' gets bounced to me and I then forward (Fw:) them on to the list (providing their content is relevant to the list). ** Please remember to delete any unneccessary portions or previous threads of an email you may be replying to, and only retain just enough of the "original message" so others know what the reply relates to. Basic email netique I think they call it. Each and every time a message is sent to a Rootsweb mailing list, an Ancestry trailer is automatically added by Rootsweb, so at times we may see a message or thread with several of these at the bottom. I tend to delete all, and any, of these 'trailers' as well, as one will be added to my message when I send it to the list anyway ! Messages containing previous threads attached at the bottom are not necessary, make for repeated reading (which can be annoying), and means longer message download time for some. So it's best to keep 'em short and to the point, and delete all the rest. ** For those of you with set mail-box quotas you will need to clear your mail on a regular basis, particularly if we have a few 'busy' days. I often receive a lot of bounced mail from people who have not cleared their mail and if this happens for more than a few days you may find yourself 'automatically un-subbed' after a set number of bounces. If this happens, you will just need to re-subscribe to continue receiving mail from the list. (The above relates more so to hotmail and msn addresses, but it varies at times). ** Make your subject line 'meaningful'. For those people who subscribe to a number of different lists and just skim through their mail at the end of the day (or whenever) looking for particular items of interest, if your subject line does not reflect in some way what the content of your message is about then it may easily be overlooked. Not everyone has the time to open, or read, each and every email if the subject line does not 'jump out at them', so to speak. The more meaningful your subject line, then the more likelihood of getting a response. If the subject of a particular thread happens to change over a few replies etc. then it's best to change the subject line as well to reflect the change in subject. ** Consider re-posting your research interests every now and then, as new subscribers join the list all the time. While some subscribers never participate in anything on the list, preferring just to watch (?); the success of this list (or any other list) depends solely on the subscribers mucking in every now and then, asking or answering queries and questions, or posting interesting 'bits & pieces' relevant to thelist as time allows. ** All messages sent to the list are archived and can be searched or browsed at a later stage if need be. To get there, click the AUS-NSW-HILLS-HAWKESBURY-HUNTER-VALLEY link at http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/AUS/ and then click the browse or search options at the bottom of the page. If you still happen to be reading :) then I think that might do for now. I'm not sure if Rootsweb is back to normal as yet, but it seems that messages are now making it to the list. There may be some further interruptions (?) to come, depending on whether their server problems have been sorted or not. Enjoy the weekend folks, looks like perfect weather for flying a kite ! Regards, Diane (Admin)