> > The problem with this approach is that by the time the inane > > thread does die, your more focussed, serious subscribers have > > become so sick of it that some have unsubscribed. > > You might think this will be the predominant behavior, but in my > experience as owner of a number of lists over many years, very few It depends on what kind of list it is, Peter. On lists intended for discussion of a particular profession, where you have some people who want to see *ONLY* serious profession related items (not even fun profession-related stuff) you can see droves of signoffs when "silly season" goes on just a tad too long. And if it goes on longer than that the slightly more tolerant start leaving. I know, I get the notes on subs and unsubs. Most of these people will, eventually, come back, as there is no substitute. But they *do* quit in disgust if the extraneous is allowed to go too far. Douglas Douglas Winship Hays County, Texas [log in to unmask] Secondary AUTOCAT Listowner MEDLAB-L