A thank you to those who've responded to me offlist. I've accepted pretty much all of your suggestions, and my FAQ list is definitely the better for it. One odd thing... There is one response to me that was onlist - I can see it in the archive - but I never received a copy, so I can't simply "Reply" to it. I do have a question about the response, so I'm going to copy and paste the message below. Obviously, it's not going to thread properly... > From: singhals <singhals@erols.com> > Subject: Re: [LO] mailing list FAQs > Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 11:05:17 -0500 <snip> > > Hi. > > I can't say I've ever needed all that explanation for my > subscribers, but if you do, it's a aretty good FAQ, all in > all. But, in fact, in fact gets a bit repetitive? IMO, that > is...and could be it's because the first few times the > phrase appears ON SCREEN several places at once. > > The bit of the FAQ I'd use most often is the plain-text, > because many subscribers haven't a clue whether they post in > plain-text, html or gibberish. Other than that, I must have > an especially quiet set of lists or an overly-well-behaved > bumch of subscribers. (g) > > Cheryl This list of FAQs is everything I can think of, which is the accumulation of *twenty years* of questions. I've actually been working on the list, off and on, for some weeks - adding an FAQ each time one occurred to me. Despite how many FAQs there are, several more were suggested offlist. I've just added two more, and I have one more to do. The FAQs are likely somewhat repetitive in that each answer is meant to stand alone. It's not really intended that someone would sit down and read them all as a cohesive set of instructions. If so, I'd have given more thought to the order they are in. Right now, they're simply in the order I've thought of them. I do find myself using them singly, as opposed to directing them to the entire page. That is, if I have to tell someone to trim their backquotes, I just say, "Please see FAQ #21." That one and the plain text one (#4) are the two I seem to use the most. Gosh, it's saving me time and tedium not to have to retype these explanations... I have added a link to the FAQ page to my list Welcome message and to my list footer. So, I'm also relieved that, even if the subscribers don't bother to read them, none of them will ever again be able to say, with any justification, "How was I to know I wasn't supposed to do that?!" I'm responding to your message, in part, because I'm afraid I don't understand this phrase: "...and could be it's because the first few times the phrase appears ON SCREEN several places at once." Could you please explain? Diana

Diana Gale Matthiesen wrote: > For years, I've heard list subscribers (mainly newbies) complain that > there isn't a clear set of guidelines for list behavior. I've been > meaning, for years, to compile one, and I finally broke down and did > so - after explaining for the umpteenth time why a subscriber needs to > post in Plain Text. I'd appreciate (constructive) criticism on how to > better this set of guidelines, including topics that need to be added, > based on your own knowledge and experience: > > http://dgmweb.net/MailingListFAQs.html > > I'm especially hazy on exactly what happens when people "gang" address > messages to multiple lists. I think I've deciphered what's going on > correctly. There is someone who subscribes to two of the same > "related" (and very busy) mailing list that I do. He's an active > poster, and he habitually posts every message to both lists. I do so > wish one or the other of the listadmins would tell him to STOP doing > it. It really does create the problems I mention. Hi. I can't say I've ever needed all that explanation for my subscribers, but if you do, it's a aretty good FAQ, all in all. But, in fact, in fact gets a bit repetitive? IMO, that is...and could be it's because the first few times the phrase appears ON SCREEN several places at once. The bit of the FAQ I'd use most often is the plain-text, because many subscribers haven't a clue whether they post in plain-text, html or gibberish. Other than that, I must have an especially quiet set of lists or an overly-well-behaved bumch of subscribers. (g) Cheryl

For years, I've heard list subscribers (mainly newbies) complain that there isn't a clear set of guidelines for list behavior. I've been meaning, for years, to compile one, and I finally broke down and did so - after explaining for the umpteenth time why a subscriber needs to post in Plain Text. I'd appreciate (constructive) criticism on how to better this set of guidelines, including topics that need to be added, based on your own knowledge and experience: http://dgmweb.net/MailingListFAQs.html I'm especially hazy on exactly what happens when people "gang" address messages to multiple lists. I think I've deciphered what's going on correctly. There is someone who subscribes to two of the same "related" (and very busy) mailing list that I do. He's an active poster, and he habitually posts every message to both lists. I do so wish one or the other of the listadmins would tell him to STOP doing it. It really does create the problems I mention. Diana

I have a customer that has had a subscription on gennor-l for a long time, but now has changed his email address. But his subscribe message to the -request address never turns up, while his old address do work ok. He tell he is subscribed to about 20 or so other lists that work nicely with new address, so why is he blocked? Is there a global limit of subscriptions that he is passing or is the spam blockers having a bad day again blocking him from sending subscription messages?

I don't know...there is no limit to subscriptions. Have you tried subscribing him manually? If that works see if he can post to the list. Have him bcc you when he posts so you will know whether the post makes the list or not. Joan In a message dated 12/11/2011 5:50:55 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, alf.christophersen@medisin.uio.no writes: I have a customer that has had a subscription on gennor-l for a long time, but now has changed his email address. But his subscribe message to the -request address never turns up, while his old address do work ok. He tell he is subscribed to about 20 or so other lists that work nicely with new address, so why is he blocked? Is there a global limit of subscriptions that he is passing or is the spam blockers having a bad day again blocking him from sending subscription messages?

FYI, before our illustrious list admin finally shuts this ongoing and pointless discussion down as off topic, be aware the reason the spam is not in the list archives is because I "properly" reported it to RW Abuse and List Staff for what it was, spam sent to a list. RW Staff had to remove it from the archives and will probably deal as appropriate with the sender, and THAT is why you do not find it there now. David E. Cann decann@infionline.net or on Skype at "david.e.cann" -----Original Message----- From: listowners-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:listowners-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Kathie Harrison Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 3:30 PM To: W David Samuelsen Cc: listowners@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [LO] Fwd: Re: [OHROOTS] ..... I read all my messages and I received no apology message. Please don't assume we 3 ever saw your apology. FYI no apology is in the LO archives. On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 2:14 PM, W David Samuelsen <dsam52@sampubco.com> wrote: > To those 3, > > Obvious you deleted the apology message without reading it. > > It was NOT intended to be sent to this list at all, and was supposed > to go to listmaster@... > > No more discussion or comment, please. > > David Samuelsen

I read all my messages and I received no apology message. Please don't assume we 3 ever saw your apology. FYI no apology is in the LO archives. On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 2:14 PM, W David Samuelsen <dsam52@sampubco.com> wrote: > To those 3, > > Obvious you deleted the apology message without reading it. > > It was NOT intended to be sent to this list at all, and was supposed to > go to listmaster@... > > No more discussion or comment, please. > > David Samuelsen -- ~~~~~ Take care, Kathie Harrison Lancaster Co., NEGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nelancas/

Yes, indeed, I do know what a header is. I was replying to a post that had header and spam with it. I removed all of that so as to not send the spam to the list yet again. JAsche On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 1:53 PM, Dan JM <mygenrw2@gmail.com> wrote: > Did not see spam, you know what a header is right? > ----- Original Message ----- From: "JLA" <jasche45133@gmail.com> > To: "W David Samuelsen" <dsam52@sampubco.com> > Cc: <listowners@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 4:07 AM > Subject: Re: [LO] Fwd: Re: [OHROOTS] Make your future healthier! > > >> And now it just hit this list thanks to you.  :-( >> >> Please don't sent on spam to the list. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Sincerely, >> >> JAsche >> >> On Wed, Dec 7, 2011 at 2:06 AM, W David Samuelsen <dsam52@sampubco.com> >> wrote: >>> >>> Gerhard, >>> >>> I see few listadmins failed to act to stop spams coming from >>> banksgenealogy@aol.com >>> >>> Still hitting after a month. Already sent copy to abuse@ >>> >>> David >>> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> LISTOWNERS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >

Repeating this one TO THE LIST. On 12/7/2011 8:47 AM, W David Samuelsen wrote: my apologies, it was supposed to go to listmaster himself. David On 12/7/2011 5:07 AM, JLA wrote: > And now it just hit this list thanks to you. :-( > > Please don't sent on spam to the list. > > Thanks, > > Sincerely, > > JAsche > > On Wed, Dec 7, 2011 at 2:06 AM, W David Samuelsen<dsam52@sampubco.com> wrote: >> Gerhard, >> >> I see few listadmins failed to act to stop spams coming from >> banksgenealogy@aol.com >> >> Still hitting after a month. Already sent copy to abuse@ >> >> David >> >

To those 3, Obvious you deleted the apology message without reading it. It was NOT intended to be sent to this list at all, and was supposed to go to listmaster@... No more discussion or comment, please. David Samuelsen On 12/9/2011 12:11 PM, Kathie Harrison wrote: > David did send the FULL SPAM message to the Listowners list including > the link in that message.

David did send the FULL SPAM message to the Listowners list including the link in that message. On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 12:53 PM, Dan JM <mygenrw2@gmail.com> wrote: > Did not see spam, you know what a header is right? > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "JLA" <jasche45133@gmail.com> > To: "W David Samuelsen" <dsam52@sampubco.com> > Cc: <listowners@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 4:07 AM -- ~~~~~ Take care, Kathie Harrison Lancaster Co., NEGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nelancas/

Did not see spam, you know what a header is right? ----- Original Message ----- From: "JLA" <jasche45133@gmail.com> To: "W David Samuelsen" <dsam52@sampubco.com> Cc: <listowners@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 4:07 AM Subject: Re: [LO] Fwd: Re: [OHROOTS] Make your future healthier! > And now it just hit this list thanks to you. :-( > > Please don't sent on spam to the list. > > Thanks, > > Sincerely, > > JAsche > > On Wed, Dec 7, 2011 at 2:06 AM, W David Samuelsen <dsam52@sampubco.com> > wrote: >> Gerhard, >> >> I see few listadmins failed to act to stop spams coming from >> banksgenealogy@aol.com >> >> Still hitting after a month. Already sent copy to abuse@ >> >> David >> > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > LISTOWNERS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Got message banksgenealogy had been unsubbed from all lists. I think there's one more to hunt down and send to listmaster@ David Samuelsen

If your admin password isn't working --- you would need to contact listmaster@rootsweb.com but first try sending yourself an email to the admin address and see if you GET it. Did the password failure permit you to reset a new password? Maybe it has gotten corrupted? Joan In a message dated 12/5/2011 10:43:19 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, singhals@erols.com writes: During the recent spurt of "fake ham", I put one address on Moderation. This morning one of his posts hit the WVHampsh list. I went to double-check he WAS on mod before I came asking questions. My admin password was refused. What the flip?!? Cheryl

During the recent spurt of "fake ham", I put one address on Moderation. This morning one of his posts hit the WVHampsh list. I went to double-check he WAS on mod before I came asking questions. My admin password was refused. What the flip?!? Cheryl

Dave- Write to listmaster@rootsweb.com with information about the spam and the list so he can followup on it. Joan In a message dated 12/2/2011 11:13:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, dave@fuzzo.com writes: Spam is repeatedly getting through to one of the lists I subscribe to. I've posted a message to the list suggesting that the offending address be moderated -- I've followed up with a direct e-mail to the list's -admin address. Yet more than a week later, I've received no response, and the spam -- with potential links to malware -- is still getting through. Any suggestions? Dave

You can check if available for adoption http://resources.rootsweb.ancestry.com/misc/adoptable/ Write the admin addr a few more times & then ask the helpdesk to see if they have a different addr for the Admin. They will try & contact the admin. Most of the time, after a while, they will put the list up for adoption. Paul -----Original Message----- From: David M. Lawrence Spam is repeatedly getting through to one of the lists I subscribe to. 've posted a message to the list suggesting that the offending address e moderated -- I've followed up with a direct e-mail to the list's admin address. Yet more than a week later, I've received no response, nd the spam -- with potential links to malware -- is still getting through. Any suggestions? Dave

Spam is repeatedly getting through to one of the lists I subscribe to. I've posted a message to the list suggesting that the offending address be moderated -- I've followed up with a direct e-mail to the list's -admin address. Yet more than a week later, I've received no response, and the spam -- with potential links to malware -- is still getting through. Any suggestions? Dave -- ------------------------------------------------------ David M. Lawrence | Home: (804) 559-9786 7471 Brook Way Court | Fax: (804) 559-9787 Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | Email: dave@fuzzo.com USA | http: http://fuzzo.com ------------------------------------------------------ "All drains lead to the ocean." -- Gill, Finding Nemo "We have met the enemy and he is us." -- Pogo "No trespassing 4/17 of a haiku" -- Richard Brautigan

> you could set your list so that you have to approve all new subscriptions I use that setting on all of my lists. I recently had one subscription attempt that was obviously a faked/spoofed/whatever address - it's been talked about here on this list recently when someone else queried the same address trying to sub to one of their lists. (Your list's tools page > Privacy options (Ban list) > What steps are required for subscription = Require approval) As soon as I approve a subscription, I put the new member on moderation. That's usually the end of it, as my lists tend to be very quiet and no-one posts. But once a new member who is moderated has posted once or twice (once is usually enough to show me that it's a genuine person with genealogy intentions) I remove the moderation. (Membership Management) If you're going to have some (or all) members on moderation, you want to be getting notifications of pending messages immediately rather than just the once-a-day reminder. I think there's been a little confusion over this in past messages in this thread, so I mention it for clarification. (General Options > Should the list administrator and list admin assistants get immediate notice of new moderation requests, as well as daily notices about collected ones? = Yes) Hope this helps. :-) Wendy

Hi everyone I've been admin of some small surname lists for a number of years, but have just joined this list in the hope that someone may be able to help with a problem I've been having. Over the past week or so a number of messages (each with an attachment and about 250kB in size) have been sent to one of my lists from a non-subbed address, and for each one I've received an "approval needed" message from RootsWeb, to which the message in question was attached, complete with its own attachments. The problem is that some of these messages were identified as containing the virus Trojan.Zbot - though fortunately no damage was done as they were intercepted by my anti-virus protection, or in some cases at my POP3 mailbox before I had a chance to download them. I have raised this matter with RootsWeb and so far they have not addressed the question of infected mails, but simply told me what kind of spam filtering they use, and how I should deal with spam sent to the list. However, this misses the point. I know I could simply delete the messages and try to stop worrying about it, but that also fails the address the issue, namely that RootsWeb are forwarding infected emails to list admins. This concerns me so much that I am now seriously considering giving up as an admin. Before I do that, however, I thought I'd ask here whether anyone else has managed to deal with this issue, and if so, how. Thanks for any help on this, Arthur Kennedy