Such delays rarely originate in one's own system. I manage three lists and only once or twice in all the the many times when there have been delays were the delays due to the Temple University system where my lists are located. Usually there is a major break or bottle neck in the "backbone" -- one of the nodes through which traffic is routed. Messages have to be re-routed, and sometimes they simply stack up. A few months ago everything (including my listserv commands-- which is very unusual since they are routed differently from list-mail) was delayed up to three days. You can imagine the pile of mail I received from frustrated list members. I think Nebraska was out at the time; their computers were flooded out or something of the sort. When the dam finally opened people (including myself) had hundred's of messages tumble into our mailboxes, all within half an hour or so. Then the error messages started because people's mailboxes filled up . . . Keep in mind that the Internet is fragile and performs remarkably well considering the load we put on it. I send notices out to my subscribers explaining in advance what may happen and asking them to keep in mind that electronic communication and especially mailing lists are more of a privilege than a right. One should be grateful that things function so smoothly most of the time and learn patience for the times when harware or software fails. Peace, Ingrid Shafer [log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]