List: Recently there was a problem with mail-returns on addresses of those using AOL. It may have been resolved so quickly that AOL users weren't aware of it, but for list administrators, we received mail returns on all AOL addresses. The following article appeared in the Rootsweb Review and I thought I would pass it on. Sometimes this problem occurs with other ISP providers. Sarah McCray ENG-LANCS-YORKS list administrator ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NEWS AND NOTES. 1a. Solving Problems with AOL AOL and RootsWeb's mail-delivery issues were resolved after amicable communication and work with the Internet Service Provider. RootsWeb thanks the postmaster group at AOL for its work with us on the various issues that were involved. AOL users are encouraged to re-check their subscriptions to mailing lists at PasswordCentral -- click on the PASSWORD tab at the top of the RootsWeb Home page: http://www.rootsweb.com/ Information and instructions for mailing lists can be found by clicking on MAILING LISTS tab at http://www.rootsweb.com/ 1b. AOLers and RootsWeb: New List and Some Tips Since AOL subscribers make up a large percentage of our mailing list members, RootsWeb has created a new mailing list that is being announced today. The mailing list is named AOLers-RootsWeb. It is to assist AOL users with questions related to their use of the RootsWeb mailing lists. Hopefully this new resource will help to forestall any future difficulties from arising between AOL and the RootsWeb mailing lists. The new list may also prove helpful to RootsWeb list administrators who are not AOL subscribers in answering questions for their list members who do use AOL. It will provide a place to direct AOL users where they can obtain accurate up-to-date information and assistance with RootsWeb mailing list issues that are specific and unique to AOL users. You will find this new mailing list categorized on the mailing list webpage at http://lists.rootsweb.com under OTHER/RootsWeb Support/ The direct link is: [This is a 2-line URL; copy and paste carefully]: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/RootsWeb_Support/ AOLers-RootsWeb.html During the past week or so RootsWeb mailing list subscribers who use AOL (America Online) as their ISP (Internet Service Provider) to receive list mail experienced a disruption of service that lasted several days. Family history researchers, who are often addicted to their daily "fix" of mail from their favorite RootsWeb lists, began sending e-mails to their lists in an attempt to ascertain whether or not the lists were working, for some, alarm set in. Don't panic if RootsWeb's list mail doesn't appear to be reaching your mailbox as it normally should. Instead, do the following: 1. Check the HelpDesk's yellow announcement box for news of any technical problems at RootsWeb or with your ISP's delivery of list mail from RootsWeb. http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/ or click on HELP tab at the top of any RootsWeb page. 2. Check your currently subscribed lists here: http://passwordcentral.rootsweb.com/ or click on the PASSWORDS tab at the top of any RootsWeb page. 3. Check the threaded mailing list archives to view the current month/year messages for your lists at: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/ 4. Contact the list administrator for help or information by writing to: LISTNAME-admin@rootsweb.com (replace the word LISTNAME with the actual name of the list -- using no -L or -D). NOTE: If there is a general problem involving RootsWeb mail delivery to a specific ISP and the list administrator to whom you are writing also uses the same ISP, he/she probably will not receive your inquiry for the duration of the problem with that ISP. 5. Contact your ISP's tech support representative and explain that RootsWeb list mail is not spam and this is e-mail you wish to receive. Enlist the support of your ISP in resolving the matter. Internet Service Providers should be more than willing to assist you -- their paying customer -- so that you are able to receive the mail you want. Here is what NOT to do if you suspect you are not receiving your mailing list messages: 1. Do not send repeated messages to the list asking if the list is working or if anyone has received your message. 2. Do not send any "TESTING" messages to a list. Remember that just because you are not receiving a message you have sent to the list doesn't mean that other list subscribers are not seeing your repeated messages and becoming annoyed by them. The mailing lists are for genealogical research for a specific subject and not for test messages. Use the above guidelines instead to help resolve any non- receipt of mail problems. You will find guidelines concerning non-receipt of RootsWeb list mail in a recent issue of the RootsWeb Review. You might want to print out this information and save for handy reference. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/review/20040107.txt