>I don't see why searching listserv archives can't be as simple as writing >search <desiredword> in <listname> >Why should it have to be more complicated? What good is all of that >extra coding? I can't give a great answer since I did not design it. BUT, thinking of a similar question: why can't calling long distance through an alternative long distance carrier be as simple as my calling across campus using a 5-digit extension? Answer: because there are more than 10 000 phones in the world. LISTSERV does more than SEARCH. Search enters a mode of operation different than just a single one-line command. This makes life (and LISTSERV) more complicated. That's why a bit-brain like me maintains a template that I just copy/cut/paste. It saves relearning the idosyncracies/tricks and is extremely effective. I guess it could have been designed differently, but then perhaps it would not have been as powerful? Just some off-the-cuff musings. Regards, -- co-owner INFOSYS, TQM-L, CPARK-L, ERAPPA-L, JANITORS, LDBASE-L, et -L [log in to unmask] "Are you downsizing or dumbsizing?" +1 814 863 1843 31 Shields Bldg. -- Penn State Univ -- University Park, PA 16802-1202 USA