Well, I thought I'd weigh in on this discussion, since I am a new, and still not technically skilled, listowner. I co-administer with 3 others - Bruce Dienes, Lary Jones and Steve Thompson. My bacon is pulled out the fire several times each month (sometimes it seems like several times a day!) by them on questions that are new or confusing. I subscribe to LSTOWN-L in order, over time, to learn more by reading the posts of others. I'm reluctant, sometimes, to jump in with really simplistic questions...but I see and save information here that has helped me sort out how to handle various problems. Part of the difficulty, I think, is that the documentation for listserv remains pretty inaccessible and difficult to sort out (sorry Eric, I think it's a great tool - and you are certainly very responsive to questions, concerns, bug-fixes...). It's just that the documentation is pretty technical, so learning it - especially if one has a regular job and other responsibilities, takes some time. A while back, there was discussion on the list about a manual that would be more user-friendly. The model that occurred to me was the "Using XXXX" books that are available for many of the larger software packages. They go beyond technical documentation, to a more readable format. I'm not trying to re-start that discussion - we sort of did it to death, and the resource issues seemed to be a real problem - but perhaps as the system continues to expand, it will become more cost-effective... One of the things that might make the current documentation more useful for *new* listowners is a simple overview of what documents they really should read first. This information, right now, is sort of buried. Also, the availability of the www site is a great boon, and a pointer to that - in a simple document that is sent to prospective listowners, would be a help...If postmasters/sysops on the big (and even little) systems had such a document available, they could forward it to prospective listowners when they make their initial inquiry... In the interim, I remain indebted to a *great* extent to the Quaker co-administrators and to members of this group who have been generous with advice, thoughts, and information.... Sylvie McGee Administrator for the Week - Quaker-L/Quaker-P [log in to unmask] University Friends' Meeting - seattle wa