I am a newbie to this list. I don't even know if it is a private list or not, so maybe my comments will not seem important. Please don't jump down my throat, this is only an opinion. BUT---- Why would we continue to have a discussion list, if these messages would be possible to access by non-subscribers? What's the point? I listown 8 lists- 4 are surname lists, and 4 are county lists. and they are all private. I made them private to eliminate the spamming and advertising, and also this is the way the subscribers wanted it. One of my lists can only be subbed through me. It's not just a Yes or No question! Copyright does come into it, and also hoarders. My county lists work in conjunction with the USGENWEB county pages. So a short blurb is on the page about us. I also am listed on Genealogy Resources on the Net and at Rootsweb. and then once every two months, I go to Genealogy Forum and get into the State lists, and advertise some more. My surname lists range from 35 subscribers to 190. My county lists are smaller, and that's okay too. Well just my opinion.-- Hope to see more ideas on this subject. Pat Hall- Listowner of Rhea, Stitt, Craig, Kincaid, ILMorgan, MOCASS, MOBATES, and KSMIAMI all at ROOTSWEB