since so many people are adding their two cents to this
conversation, I thought I might do the same. I belong to quite a few
other yahoo groups and have a couple of ideas from them that might
help us here. The changes would mostly have to be made by a group
moderator, but i thought I'd throw them out to the general public.

One group i belong to sends out a lengthy introduction to the group.
let me stress the word "lengthy." but it covered everything
including the talking about the files and links sections, and
certain topics that will always start flame wars, etc... I was a
little intimidated after reading the intro, but as a new person to
the group I was fully warned. I lurked on that group for a few weeks
before I posted just to get a feel for things. These days I post
freely and have never gotten my butt chewed out by anybody. but i
was fully informed from day one.

Another group sends out an automated monthly message. it's mostly
for the new people who have joined in the last month and contains
some links that would be of interest to them. I know it's coming and
just move past it when it arrives in my inbox, but i'm glad it's
there. I'd rather hit delete once a month than read a dozen or more
emails asking the same questions.

my last suggestion is a personal one. Because of the high traffic on
this list, I have opted to get it in digest form. I get one email a
day with all that days messages. My request is that we hit reply,
we trim the previous posts as much as possible. most people are
already doing just that and I thank you. (I'll also admit that I
don't always remember to do it myself!) I'm not pointing a finger at
anyone here, but just thought if I was going to make suggestions
that I would add this gentle reminder while I was at it.

and as a not so discreet way to try to change the subject....Who's
going 'boxing this weekend?

bigpurplefoot