For the most part, 0n the Quaker lists, we do not edit unless we are
dealing with a poster who simply can't figure it out and directly asks us
to....otherwise it all goes back to them for revision. For one thing, it
helps posters who may be new to learn the basics (like that their outgoing
mail is usually saved *somewhere*). And for the other, I find that making
subscribers do their own editing and revision tends to reinforce the
format/standards we ask for....when I have edited posts for subscribers
convenience, I've noticed that they tend to keep making the same mistakes
and I keep having to correspond with them over them....
 
However we do have some subscribers who really do have a lot of trouble
learning the ropes, and sometimes we will help them out for a bit in order
not to discourage - but always, really, under their direction/request.
 
So, here's the deal to avoid messing with the headers and still have the
original poster's name etc....This is the process I use in Pine - the
latest version.
 
1. Save the post to a special mailbox folder (mine is called edit).
2. Exit Pine and go to shell.
3. Invoke PICO as the editor (at least that's what I use) and open the
edit mailbox as a file.
4. Make the correction in the text required.
5. Leave the header section alone - unless you are editing the subject
line to insert a topic.
6. If you want, insert a line indicating that editing for format has been
accomplished (in the body of the message).
7. Exit pico, reenter pine.
8. Open the edit mailbox and bounce the message.
 
This assumes that you are using the bounce method of posting to the list,
rather than the ok cookie method.
 
Sounds like it's long - but actually in practice, it's only a few
keystrokes.
 
Take care,
 
Sylvie McGee
Co-Administrator - Quaker-L/Quaker-P/Noses-L
[log in to unmask]
seattle wa