The BLANCHARD-L Index-Line Database has just been updated. In fact, there are now two databases, one for messages posted in 1996/97 and one for 1998 messages through 24 Aug 1998. These can be viewed on the web at: http://www.klink.net/~fab/ixpref.html where you will find a preface, a brief summary of using the Index-Line Databases to retrieve messages from the RootsWeb Archives and the searchable databases. Notice that the file extension for the "hidden file" is now < .html >. The old database used .htm which, I guess, was a carry-over from the days of Win3.xx <G>. This will make filenames consistent. Both databases are indexed and you can search them from the web page or download them to your computer for ready access. I think the List has come to a critical point as far as our Index-Line Databases are concerned. Please give me some feedback (either to the List or to my mailbox): 1. Do you find the Index-Lines to be a valuable/useful addition to BLANCHARD-L? 2. Have you used the Index-Lines to locate messages that proved helpful in your research? 3. Do you find that the RootsWeb message archives and search procedures are adequate and that there is no need to continue the Index-Line Databases? Simple YES-YES-NO or NO-NO-YES type responses will be fine. I am willing to maintain the Databases, at least through this year, but I do need your help. If we all add appropriate Index-Lines to the messages we post, the maintenance job is simplified considerably. If the proposed format for Lines is followed, my job is even easier. Here is how the addition of a Line at the end of a message might appear: Index Jacob 1785 b c Dover, Strafford, NH 1998 08 28 I copy/paste this to a Windows Word Processor so here are the key features of this line. 1. "Index" on a separate line alerts me to Lines that follow. 2. All parts of the Line are separated by <spaces only> rather than by tabs. 3. Except for additional abbreviations given in Guidelines, no other characters, punctuation marks, etc. are required. 4. Dates are year only and event (b=birth) and qualifier (c=about) follow the date. This allows sorting by date. 5. The message posting date follows the format started at RmGate so all dates are consistent using yyyy mm dd. 6. You don't know what message number will be assigned by RootsWeb so I add a /xxx when the Line is put in the database. 7. I set up a Database Window (Word Processor) and an e-mail (IN message) Window and copy/paste the Index-Line to the Database. Any extra spaces you used between 'words' are deleted and tabs inserted to format the Line according to theTab Set in the Word Processor. I hope this brief explanation of how Index-Lines are added to the database will show you that this procedure makes it much easier for me than to have to compose the lines and then manually enter them in the database. Thank you for your cooperation. Fletch fab@klink.net