> (...) Rather, I was >struck by the cultural differences between different lists in terms >of what people object to. (...) Jim: (Hoping I haven't lost the context), I think you hit the nail on the head -- different lists may over-ride the net-culture. Nevertheless, new computer/network users of _established_ computing organizations, will approach a list with site-specific questions, or other questions best handled by their local computer/network help structure. A list member will suggest (hopefully gently), that the question should be directed to their local support structure. I guess one might apply different criteria to different audiences (customers/users). We're finding out that a particular list profile does not fit all e.g., here on LSTOWN-L not all list owners are computer/e-mail/network savvy to the same degree at tbe same time. Nevertheless, we will assume a stereotype that someone belonging to this list wants to become more self-sufficient in their c/e-/n activities and consequently wants more than just an answer, but how one arrived at that answer (if applicable). Frequently that answer could have been arrived at by the same general advice: Search the Notebook Archives (SNA ;-) ). I have abstracted some text from the LISTFAQ MEMO (sorry for the heavy edit Eric) -- (begin) Thank you for having ordered this document instead of posting your question to a mailing list. This is a good start - now you will learn how to find the answer to your questions by yourself. (...) There is, however, a process which allows you to find up-to-date answers to frequently asked questions: the database functions of LISTSERV. Most of the questions about LISTSERV you might ever have to ask have been answered already on the LISTSERV discussion list (LSTSRV-L), which held about 6,500 messages at the time this document was written. (...) A search like that takes at most 5 minutes when you are familiar with the database functions, and gives you a comprehensive answer if there is one. (...) No matter how you look at it, you win. The only cost to you is time - both to learn how to use the database functions (...) . A well-trained searcher can obtain the answer to almost any question about any academic topic in some 15 minutes, by tapping the archives of one of these mailing lists - find the right list with LIST GLOBAL or with the LISTS database, then find the answer as usual. (...) All this wealth of information is available through a SINGLE interface, so what are you doing reading this when you could be learning about it now? Bibliography: - Send an INFO DATABASE to LISTSERV for a copy of the database manual. Do not worry too much about the date - there have been so little changes since the original version that the documentation did not need to be updated. - Release notes (descriptions of the changes from one release of LISTSERV to the next one) are available from LISTSERV@SEARN as 'Vnnt RELNOTES' (for instance, V17B RELNOTES describes the changes introduced in 1.7b). You can also find this sort of information via the database, but it will be scattered across a number of separate messages over a rather long period of time; if you want to know "What's new?", these files and the archives of the LSTSRV-M list (also at SEARN) are the best place to look. - You may want to subscribe to the LDBASE-L list and read the archives, if you have BITNET connectivity and your system runs VM or VMS. (end)