Are there any general conventions people should follow when selecting
a name for a new listserv list or can any name be used, even if an
existing list already has the name?
 
This is *not* a theoretical question.  I am one of two list owners of
AFRICA-L, a list that has been around for a number of years.  Earlier
this month another, totally different, AFRICA-L opened with a totally
different emphasis than our original list.
 
That makes two AFRICA-L's.  But... a *third* AFRICA-L is about to
get up and running.  This one actually overlaps topics/concerns of
our original AFRICA-L.  I only found out about this one when I read
the list's announcement on another list (while showing a student how to
access lists through the Brown distributer).
 
Has anyone else had this multiple lists with the same name problem?
My concern is the confusion this creates.  I have written to all
the list owners involved with suggested alternative names
(AFRICA-G and AFRICA-R) and am awaiting their replies.  In case
they are unwilling to make name changes, are we, the list
owners and subscribers of the original AFRICA-L merely stuck
with AFRICA-L confusion?
 
And its only Monday...
 
Marilyn H. Fetterman
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