On 6/25/2012 10:11 AM, JYoung6180@aol.com wrote: ... > the burden of getting a reply to an email rests with the person who > asked the question in the first place ... not with the person who is > replying. > > Joan Joan: Absolutely correct. However, this isn't a pet peeve of mine -- because I simply ignore all spam-filter private bounces unless *I* initiated the attempted conversation. It should always be kept in mind that the basic functionality of a mailing list is to provide for communications between list members PUBLICLY, MEANING *ON* THE LIST. That does not mean a mailing list cannot be used to make initial contact, with discussion continuing in private. It happens all the time, and I do it myself when appropriate. However, **AS A LIST ADMIN** I feel zero -- or negative -- responsibility to facilitate, encourage, or moderate such activities. Ditto for non-subscribers who want to get information from me as the admin, without any expressed interest in participating on the list now or in the future. I do, occasionally, answer such queries, if they pique my personal curiosity. But that is the only reason. Darrell