I don't  think splitting  the list  would be a  good idea.  I am  not too
concerned with the "blind leading the blind" syndrome, because as long as
there are people like Peter Weiss,  Jim Jones and many others whose names
are sometimes  less familiar but  whose constant monitoring of  this (and
other) lists  are no less worthy  of our gratitude, there  will always be
someone  to "watch  over"  the "juniors'  list" and  step  in to  correct
misinformation. But we don't presently have  a problem with the amount of
novice questions asked,  so it wouldn't buy the 'veterans'  much to split
the list, while on the other hand  the more novice users would miss a lot
of postings  which, although  sometimes obscure, do  provide the  type of
information one needs  to move forward on one's own.  While LISTSERV is a
pretty small system by computer standards,  it is still a computer system
and there is a limit to how much you can learn about these if you have to
rely on memory rather than logic and reasoning. As long as all you get is
punctual  answers  to punctual  questions  here  and  there, it  is  very
difficult to  see the  logic of  the entire system  and progress  is very
slow.
 
On the other hand  it is clear that we cannot allow the  list to become a
general-purpose forum  for just  about any computer  networking question.
While I do understand the frustration  of people told to FTP a compressed
BACKUP saveset and  then make sure to  read the FAQ before  asking how to
install the program as a foreign  command, questions such as "What is FTP
and how do  I use it?" or  "How do I tell  my PC to reply  with these '>'
signs you  guys are using?"  are best  asked of local  helpdesks, because
they know  the equipment and software  you are using and  can provide the
best answers. This  doesn't mean posting such questions to  LSTOWN-L is a
no-no,  but  if  questions  not  related  to  LISTSERV  or  mailing  list
management become the norm many people will sign off.
 
Maybe what  is needed  is a  list for novice  LISTSERV users  without any
particular  focus   on  list  maintenance  or   discussions  of  LISTSERV
enhancements. New list owners could subscribe to this list in addition of
LSTOWN-L and use it for the more basic questions (in much the same way as
I expect  LSTSRV-L subscribers  to post questions  about EXECIO  to other
lists, even though they might need the  answer to write a program that is
related to LISTSERV - and so far it has worked pretty well).
 
  Eric