5/13/2002, you wrote: >Date: Sun, 12 May 2002 22:05:52 +0200 >From: "Helge R. Olesen" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Out of Office messages: How to educate users? > >. . . Does anyone have >sample texts which you can send, either to an "offending" user or to the >entire list? This text message and autoresponder abatement policy works well, with the member not losing messages, detecting a change has occurred in settings, "replies" not posted, and should the advisory be overlooked, I will see when a posting is attempted and can reinforce the original message *nicely.* No one has done this more than twice. Subject: "Out of Office" messages: ******-L Policy Dear ListMembers, Many people view the use of autoresponder messages in an institutional setting as a polite convenience. However, with Internet mailing lists such as this, the possibility exists for creating chaos. Essentially, *every* message received by the unattended mail program will have an acknowledging response returned to it. If the subscriber is set for digest, this will only happen once daily. If the subscriber receives postings *individually*, each one will receive a response. Because the list is not edited, each such "reply" to the list goes out as a "posting." **Every subscriber sees every one of these messages.** Each "out of office" posting returns a copy to the originating subscriber, which is then acknowledged, ad infinitum. This can create an endless "loop" of messages which can overwhelm servers, and fill people's mailboxes to their great annoyance (especially if download time is paid for by the minute). This list asks that autoresponders be adjusted to not reply to the list. If you do not wish to read mail while away, you should send the command "set Em-Nsg-L nomail" to [log in to unmask] to suspend mailing without unsubscribing. Instructions for this appear frequently on the list in the "bottom banner" reminder messages. If the list receives an autoresponder message, The List Administrator *WILL* CHANGE your mail setting to "digest" so that you continue to receive a daily collection of messages (so that you do not miss out on communications of interest) AND CHANGE your setting so that YOU CANNOT POST TO THE LIST WITHOUT APPROVAL. This will prevent your autoresponder messages from going out, and, should you send a message to the list upon your return, there will be a delay before it is approved and posted as it will require human intervention by The List Administrator. This will allow us to know that you have returned, and for you to know that there has been a problem. Normal settings will be resumed thereafter, but it is highly recommended that you remain in digest setting. This policy, which has been used "behind the scenes" for some while, should allow for the least disruption of all concerned, including your own receipt of messages. The only way to prevent all disruption is to think before setting the autoresponder message and set "nomail" for the list or prevent autoresponder replies to the list. Sincerely, Tom Trimble List Administrator for *******-L