Hi all, I too am a list manager and you do not want a moderated list. If one is truly interested in finding lost relatives, a quick review of each email message can be done without taking much time. The delete button works real good when needed. Emma, I don't know how many are on this list, but I only saw two messages that were fussing. That's a small number if the list has hundreds. Of course, you and I are causing Spam by writing but that's ok too. Carl Martin Matthews 7:7 ctm007@hal-pc.org ----- Original Message ----- From: <ENC6@aol.com> To: <MARTIN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2002 6:23 PM Subject: Re: [MARTIN-L] for the list administrater | In a message dated 1/19/2002 1:19:22 PM Central Standard Time, | CMJPlayboy@aol.com writes: | | | Cant the list administrater delete some of these that get replied to over and | over again without changing subject line. if enough get removed maybe | everyone will get the message. I have no idea how much I may have been able | | | This list has a very able list administrator and I imagine that she will | respond but I also manage some Rootsweb mail lists and thought I might put my | 2 cents worth in. Hope you don't mind. | This concern about the subject line is a concern on so many lists and causes | so much discussion. You have all heard the old saying "you can lead a horse | to water but you can't make him drink." As list managers we can post hints, | advice, and even rules but we are not sitting right there with that person | when those messages are typed. So much of what goes on with any list is | dependent upon the folks on that list. | You are right - it is so much better for everyone if folks would change the | subject line to reflect the content of their message. They might get a | better response and it would be helpful to others on the list. But... | sorry... some folks just don't do it. | As for your question about the list manager deleting any message with an | incorrect subject line before it hits the list. That is possible in that the | list manager can put this list on moderated status. That would mean that ALL | mail would automatically go to the list manager - that manager would then | have to read all the mail - make a decision concerning its appropriateness to | the list - and then send it on to the list. | Now let's think about that for a moment. You folks are upset because your | mailbox contains messages with inappropriate subject lines and you feel that | it wastes your time. Can you imagine what this would do to the manager's | mail box and how much time the manager would need to take to do this? They | deal with the folks who sometimes aren't too nice, they often get yelled at, | they weed through all the spam aimed at the list and diverted by the rootsweb | system, etc. all on a volunteer status. | Putting the list on moderated status also means that the mail would not be | sent until the list manager could read it. Thus it would be delayed. In my | case, it would be each evening as I work. Most list managers deal with more | than one mail list. They also have families and many work. I would hate to | add the extra burden of moderating the list to our list manager's plate. | So let's try again - here are some hints that might make your posting to any | mail list more efficient. | 1. Please change the subject line to reflect the topic. | 2. It is helpful to put surnames in all caps. | 3. Please include dates and locations if known. There are a lot of "Charles | Martin" folks out there in various locations at various times. | AND... thanks for listening. | Take care - Emma | |