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That's right, you have some responsibilities, too.
A mail list isn't like a movie, where you just buy a ticket, get entertained (sometimes) then walk away. This is a cooperative effort.
1. Keep this message. I recommend printing it and putting the paper where you can find it. Files on a hard disk get lost (as if paper doesn't, but...)
2. Read this message. Yes, it's a little long, but you don't have to memorize it (that's why you're saving it). It's hard to make it short and tell you what you need to know.
3. Don't be afraid of all this. Using a computer is a little harder than just knowing where the power switch is, but anyone can do this with a little effort and by following instructions.
4. Follow instructions - to the letter. If you leave something out of a command or put something extra in, it probably won't work.
5. If you decide to leave the list, make sure your name is removed (more on this below). The server that sends you this list handles thousands of messages a day. If your address becomes "bad" (for instance, you quit AOL but we think you're still there) then we start getting bounced messages. We get thousands a day now. Please don't make it worse.
6. Remember three addresses:
a. IF YOU NEED HELP, CONTACT ME. My address is doughunt@mail.com
b. To post a message to this list (so it goes to all other subscribers) send it to
HUNT-L@rootsweb.com
c. To send a command (commands are discussed below) send a message to
HUNT-L-request@rootsweb.com
7. DO NOT FLAME PEOPLE (SEND ARGUMENTATIVE OR CRITICAL MESSAGES) ON THE LIST. IF YOU ARE FLAMED, DO NOT RESPOND VIA THE LIST!!!!
8. Please stay on topic. Just below is a description about what this list is for. Please stay close to that subject. (Keep in mind that history is an important part of genealogy. Current topics usually are not.)
9. Most email programs can send attachments (attched files). Don't send these to the list. (Some programs will send a small attachment with your signature or something like that and you can't shut that off; that's okay.) This isn't a problem for the mail server, but these can cause some subscribers' machines to lock up, make them lose all their mail, even crash their hard drive!
A GEDCOM file can be a huge attachment; so can an encoded graphics file (if you don't know what those are, you probably won't be sending them, but a lot of you will understand these terms). If you want people to have these, announce them via the list and have people send you a private email requesting them. You may also visit the HUNTList website at ttp://thehuntlist.cjb.net where GEDCOMs are available for download, or to make your file available send an attachment to Courtney Tompkin at aquarius@c2i2.com with a brief description of its contents.
10. Don't automatically include "text in your reply" (an option in most mail apps). This would include all messages sent to the LIST that day in your reply (in Digest mode). Or if everyone includes the previous text in their reply to a message that's had a lot of responses it makes it very difficult for all of us to follow. Instead, clip a portion (a few lines) of the message you're responding to so that we can see the topic or better yet, identify the topic you're responding to in the subject line.
11. If you have a direct or personal message that you don't think would be of interest to the rest of the group, send it to the individual.
This is a discussion area for anyone who has an interest in genealogy research related to the HUNT family.
Are there other lists like this?
For a list of known Internet newsgroups and mail lists linked to genealogy, check these URLs:
Mailing lists are remarkably simple beasties: you send a piece of e-mail to the list's address, and the list retransmits that message to everyone who is subscribed.
All Lists Have Two Addresses
Every mailing list really has two addresses: the list name, where posts should be sent, and the list name followed by -request, where commands to the listserver software should be sent. For example, posts to ROOTS-L should go to ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com while "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests should go to ROOTS-L-request@rootsweb.com.
List Modes Affect How You Receive Posts
Mailing lists can operate in any of three modes:
MAIL mode, where every post is sent to subscribers as a separate piece of e-mail. MAIL mode requires a great deal of effort by the listserving computer. MAIL mode lists are often named <listname>-M.
DIGEST mode, where about twenty posts are batched together and then sent to the subscribers. Digests produce less clutter in your mailbox, but replying to an individual message may require a little extra effort. DIGEST mode lists are often named <listname>-D.
INDEX mode, where a list of the Subject: and From: lines for each post is sent daily to the subscribers. Subscribers can then request only the messages they want to see. INDEX mode lists are often named <listname>-L.
Besides those lists, the default mode for a list is sometimes called <listname>-L. For example, the default mode of HUNT-L is MAIL, so HUNT-L really is three lists: HUNT-L, HUNT-D and HUNT-I.
If you've subscribed to the list in mail mode (-L), you'll have to unsubscribe and subscribe to HUNT-D to receive mail in digest mode.
I don't like what some people say on the list!
The list is not moderated. Any message sent to it is automatically bounced back out to everyone on the list. While I in no way want to stifle free discussion, as list owner I reserve the right to step in if a flame war erupts, if some thread (a series of messages on the same subject) becomes tedious for other subscribers, or if someone becomes unseemly (excessive use of profanity, for instance).
The most important key on your keyboard is the DELETE key. If you don't like a message, delete it. Don't send a cutting or snide remark back to the list. The rest of us don't want to read it, and it just adds to the clutter of useless messages. If you feel there is a serious problem caused by someone, send me a message at doughunt@mail.com. If you have a personal message for someone, please send it to their address, not the list server address. Any mail sent to HUNT will automatically be sent to everyone on the list.
Commands How to Subscribe and Unsubscribe
To subscribe to the list, send a message to
HUNT-L-request@rootsweb.com (or "HUNT-D" for digest mode)
and type "subscribe" in the body of the message (not the subject line).
To unsubscribe, send a message to
HUNT-L-request@rootsweb.com (or "HUNT-D" for digest mode)
and type "unsubscribe" in the body.
DO NOT SEND THESE MESSAGES TO HUNT-L@rootsweb.com!
To post a message to the list, send it to
HUNT-L@rootsweb.com
Are the messages archived (saved) somewhere?
How soon should I get an answer?
When you send a message to the list, you will get a copy back (since you're a subscriber, too).
Depending on a lot of factors, you may get an answer in 5 minutes or 5 hours, sometimes even longer. We may be very busy here. Sometimes **your** service rejects messages for awhile. GENERALLY, if you don't have an answer in 12 hours, suspect a problem and try again.
Send me a message, but be specific. I can't help if you just say, "I'm having a problem, help me." Tell me what it is. Tell me what you did or tried to do. If you received some kind of error message, send it to me.
If you get an error message from the mail server, it will tell you what the error is.
A LOT of problems are caused by:
You tried to unsubscribe and mail server says you're not a subscriber, yet you're getting mail.
Send yourself a message and see how your address appears in the header of the message. **Usually** (if you're getting this error) it won't be the same as your original subscription address. IPs (Internet service providers) are notorious for changing your address, adding "mail" or "pop" or some other term to it - or taking it away. If that is the case, all you can do is notify me to help you.
You get a "list not known" or similar error.
Check how you're spelling the list's name. Common errors include:
New York Roots (it is supposed to be NewYork-ROOTS) IL-ROOTS (it's ILLINOIS-ROOTS)
Get the idea?
You get a "bad command" error.
Check you spelling. I see "unscribe", "un-scibe" and about every other variation imaginable. You have to spell stuff right!
There is additional help on the web at: