The biggest reason it It ties up the Rootsweb's server system resources. A lot of people would not want the attachments or gedcoms. Our information may not be valuable to everyone on the list. Normal text (ansi) attachments cannot contain a virus. However, Word (binary) files can contain macro viruses. Many people don't pay attention to the size of the file they are sending. My isp freezes up somewhere at about 1.5 mb. Luckily they have an online utility where I can go in myself and purge the offending files. Not everyone has been provided that service by their isp, and have to contact technical support and have them do it for them. It also stops those so called virtual business cards from filling up my hard drive with senseless dribble, when that information can easily be included in their signature line. I applauded the day when they added the filters to stop accepting attachments. Sue At 12:54 PM 1/16/99 , you wrote: >Frank and ALL, > >Since someone brought up the subject of attachments, may >I take the liberty to put in "my two=cents worth. Rootsweb >definitely forbids attachments, and I can see a >justification >for this in terms of transmitting viruses via e-mail >attachments. >Most of us use Virus protecting programs. > >This does, however, penalize the exchange of genealogy data >for me (perhaps others) in another way; i.e. I can type a >more >lengthy data entry by first entering in MSWord while >offline, >and then, attaching MSWord Document to an e-mail to the Mail >List >while online. When I enter the data in a message box, I am >more >likely to introduce mistakes. Another argument for >attachments is >that my ISP and at least some others, will disconnect after >a defined >period of time. > >I know about changing the number of minutes before >disconnect in Netscape, and have tried that, but the results >are not permanent. > >Prevention of attachments also precludes the attachment of >Gedcoms. >Most of us have a limited amount of time to devote to >e-mails, and >we could share the materials with more Mail List members >more >readily if rootsweb would allow attachments. > >One Woman's Opinion --- Any Comments? Suggested Solutions? >Helen Gant Donald > > >==== SLOAN-SLONE Mailing List ==== >Visit Rootsweb home site today. Many resources are available. >http://www.rootsweb.com