>First, I do not want to edit subscribers' ideas, that is why the list has
>been unmoderated for a number of years.  My problem is with individuals who
>cannot seem to learn to quote effectively; they simply click on reply and
>include everything from previous posts.  I have written to these people

It's tough to step in and handle this situation initially.  You'll have all
kinds of jerks.

For whatever it's worth, I run my lists semi-moderated, and the new (and
policy offending subscribers) are set to review mode.

I get a message with excessive quoting, I have a "Unable to approve message
due to excessive quoting" template I send back to the user, of course
quoting back the email that needed to be approved.

This is a hard situation to handle initially, but if you are consistant with
everybody, eventually you prevail.  You can just send back a template of the
list polity including that requirement and any references rather than argue
with those that insist on argueing.

IMHO, it is not fair that users would use me to do all the work they should
be doing on their own :)  I don't set them to NOPOST, but do always send
them the "not approved" template and message that is not being approved.  In
other words, increase the hassle factor so they either comply, or if they
just won't bend at all, leave the list.

I've also modded the template to not send the notice that the message has
been sent to the moderator for review, but I have added statements regarding
that in my list policies.  Mmm, thats really just to save me hassle.  You'll
have to wrestle with your own morals and concious on that one.

In case there is anything useful in here,
http://www.our-kids.org/Archives/email_netiquette.html

Randy