I am having a serious problem in that some of my subscribers are on systems
that automatically convert a colon in the subject line to a dash ("-").  The
colon is essential to the operation of the 'topics' feature.
 
Has anyone else encountered this problem?  What can be done about it?  Is
there anything that I can advise a local computer staff to do?
 
Wayne Marr posted a similar question on August 30 but I haven't seen a
satisfactory answer.
 
The topics feature is essential to our list which has over 2,150 subscribers,
most of them very busy professional people who do not have time to read all
messages.  We have five topics which gives them a chance to filter out all
except the messages in their field (International Admissions, Teaching of
English as a Foreign Language, Advisers to International Students and
Scholars, Community Volunteer Programs for Foreign Students, and Study Abroad
Programs).
 
I have attached a recent complaint from one subscriber in response to my
message of admonition for having omitted a colon after the topic, and a
list of sites with the same problem.
 
     ... Jim <[log in to unmask]>
             INTER-L List Manager (co-owner)
 
   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
>Date: 4 Oct 1994 09:35:53 U
>From: "Jan Beaulyn" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re:  SECUSSA-  Viet Nam?
>To: "James Graham" <[log in to unmask]>
>Return-Receipt-To: "Jan Beaulyn" <[log in to unmask]>
>
        >Reply to:   RE>> SECUSSA-  Viet Nam?
>James-  I'm worried.  I DID put a colon after the subject heading SECUSSA:
>VietNam, but was informed by my computer people here on campus that our
>system automatically changes colons to dashes.  Something about the way the
>VAX works.  Any way to change the protocol?  I didn't get the feeling that my
>campus would change theirs.  Any other way to get the information to those I
>want to?  I did get about 6 or 7 answers.  Could I address to ALL?  I need
>colon for that too tho don't I?  hmmmmm-Jan
><[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>--------------------------------------
>
>Received: by qmlink.sonoma.edu with SMTP;30 Sep 1994 19:00:43 U
>Received: by mvax.Sonoma.EDU (5.57/Ultrix2.4-C)
>        id AA13427; Fri, 30 Sep 94 18:58:23 -0700
>Received: by lamar.ColoState.EDU (AIX 3.2/UCB 5.64/4.03)
>          id AA16792; Fri, 30 Sep 1994 19:57:28 -0600
>Date: Fri, 30 Sep 1994 19:57:28 -0600
>From: [log in to unmask] (James Graham)
>Message-Id: <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re:  SECUSSA-  Viet Nam?
>
>This is a generic (canned) message that is sent to all who forget to put
>a colon after the topic(s).  Without a colon Listserv will not recognize
>a topic and send the message only to the who have not set Inter-L to a
>topic.  It will not go to those who have unless they have included OTHER
>in their choice of topics.
>
>It will take us some time to get accustomed to the 'topics' system, so
>don't take this as a personal reprimand.  It is intended to point out
>how you should send a message the next time if you want your message to
>go to the proper recipients.
>
>            ... Jim <[log in to unmask]>
 
Some other sites with the same problem:
 
Smith College  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
From: EWeir <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      CAFSS- Seeking Pre-orientat
X-To:         "Inter-L (NAFSA NETWORK)" <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list INTER-L <[log in to unmask]>
 
REGARDING                CAFSS: Seeking Pre-orientation Ideas
 
CalState-San Marcos  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
From: Peter-Zwick Global-Affairs <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      ALL- NEW UNIVERSITIES
X-To:         Inter-L Inter-L <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list INTER-L <[log in to unmask]>
 
                      Subject:                              Time:  2:23 PM
  OFFICE MEMO         ALL: NEW UNIVERSITIES                 Date:  8/19/94
 
CalState-Fullerton   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
From: Bob Ericksen <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      CAFSS- Taipei fax #
X-To:         INTER-L <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list INTER-L <[log in to unmask]>
Status: RO
 
                       Subject:                               Time:11:22 AM
  OFFICE MEMO          CAFSS: Taipei fax #                    Date:8/15/94
 
CalState-Chancellor's Office  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
From: Brenda Robinson <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      ALL-  Fulbright Conference
X-To:         INTER-L <[log in to unmask]>,
              SECUSS-L <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list INTER-L <[log in to unmask]>
 
                       Subject:                               Time:11:54 AM
  OFFICE MEMO          ALL:  Fulbright Conference             Date:8/11/94
 
   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++