Following the Message From Peter M. Weiss, I attempted to repeat his
 suggested DATABASE search commands.  See below for what eventuated.
 Could someone explain the differing results, and solution, please?
 Mel
 --
 Here follows Peter's message:
 ========
 
 >Subject: owner's lists (was Re: File: "LSTOWN-L LIST")
 >
 >I wonder if those on this list would like to consider the obvious merits
 >of placing their list-names on the REV LSTOWN-L info at [log in to unmask]
 >SUNET.SE, as it makes it a lot easier to know which Listowners are
 >'present'.  Would it also be an idea to send out a promo about this
 >list to attract further owners to join?
 >
 >One could do that, but all the info is in one of the 18 LISTS databases
 >already being maintained across BITNET.  Here's an example:
 >
 >Date:         Wed, 4 May 1994 06:29:41 -0500
 >From:         BITNET list server at NDSUVM1 (1.8a) <[log in to unmask]>
 >Subject:      File: "DATABASE OUTPUT"
 >
 > search pmw1 in lists
 >--> Database LISTS, 8 hits.
 >
 > index
 Ref# Listname Nodename #Sub List title
 ---- -------- -------- ---- ----------
 1980 REXXCOMP BITNIC    159 Rexx Compiler Discussion List
 2374 TQM-L    UKANVM    671 Total Quality Management In Higher Education
 2379 LDBASE-L UKANVM    356 A Discussion of Listserv Database Search Capability
 2380 JANITORS UKANVM    188 College and University Housekeeping Information
 3663 INFOSYS  AUVM     2885 INFOSYS - Newsletter for Information Systems
 3865 FINAID-L PSUVM    1417 Administration of Student Financial Aid
 3907 ERAPPA-L PSUVM     228 Association of Physical Plant Administrators
 3909 CPARK-L  PSUVM     198 Campus Parking System Administration
 
 --  co-owner INFOSYS, TQM-L, CPARK-L, ERAPPA-L, JANITORS, LDBASE-L, et -L
 [log in to unmask]       "Dept. of Deja Vu Dept."         +1 814 863 1843
 31 Shields Bldg. -- Penn State Univ -- University Park, PA 16802-1202 USA
 
==============
OK -- Looks straight-forward enough, and worth trying out.
 
But when I did try, I got the following message from
@UBVM.CC.BUFFALO.EDU:[log in to unmask] Thu May  5 11:10:06 1994
 >
 > > search pmw1 in lists
 >
 > This is  not the proper way  to access the LISTSERV  database. You should
 > either use the  LDBASE user interface for interactive access  or submit a
 > DATABASE job. Please refer to LISTDB MEMO (available via an INFO DATABASE
 > command) for more information.
 >