-----Original Message----- From: hgdonald@leo.infi.net <hgdonald@leo.infi.net> To: <TNMACON-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Friday, November 20, 1998 8:15 AM Subject: Re: LIST ETIQUETTE (Re: ROLL CALL) >I don't entirely agree with the comment on posting >of genealogical information. As long as the subject >line identifies the surname addressed by the e-mail, >who is to judge whether or nor someone else May Be >interested. Failure to reply to a list-generated >query by replying to the entire list, could mean that >someone out there will miss out on valuable information. I don't want to get into a big flame war, (I already got one rather snippy reply to my post.) I would just like to clarify my position. I agree very much about exchanging info! Please don't get me wrong! I just seem to have gotten a lot of "Dear Bob"-type emails under the heading of "ROLL CALL" (with NO SURNAME in the subject line, btw.) Heck, I'm interested in the roll call stuff, that's why I open them & read them. If the subject line was "BELUGIA/FLINTSTONE Roll Call" I wouldn't care a lick. >Overall, the Macon County list is relatively small with >a relatively low volume of e-mail. Replies that carry >the surname in the subject line should Not be a burden >to anyone, and a potential help to others on a >geographically >specific mail list. I agree ENTIRELY! But again, no surnames in the ones I've been getting...just "Re: ROLL CALL." Also, my research is all over the country and beyond, so I subscribe to many different lists & my box does tend to get full. I personally would appreciate any help in making it easier to wade through. On another "mail management" note, I would love it if the Macon County list would automatically put a "TNMACON" in the subject line of the messages. It would help me a lot personally. I'm very enthusiastic about the amount of traffic on the list following the "Roll Call" request. I hope we do them regularly. It's enabled me to find at least one other person who is researching the same surname I am in the same area. That's what it's for! However, I also know that many genealogical researchers aren't specifically experienced computer users, and I thought perhaps that some people didn't realize that they were replying to the list. I felt that a reminder to folks might be in order. Perhaps I didn't word it well - I was trying to be a little funny about it - but I've been stunned by the level of hostility it's generated towards me.