As promised - the summary of responses (some of which you've seen
already).  The survey and responses to MY questions are closed. (Feel
free to start your own thread.)
 
 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 
Have any list-owners, who now have the TOPICS capability available on
their LISTSERV, figured out how to _decide_ which topics, if any, would
be appropriate for their list(s)?
 
1) Was it unilateral by you?  (perhaps you searched the notebook for
recent subjects:)
 
One respondent indicated that with one list, (s)he would define a
Topic, but on another they didn't think it would work.
 
The list of topics ineeds to be very short, easily remembered, somehow
symmetric, and above all useful.  This last point is probably most
critical, and will be most help in limiting choices.
 
2) Do you plan on doing a survey?
 
Two NOs, but one of those with discussion, opinion, off-line ramblings.
Implement a concensus.  One yes.
 
3) Do you plan on waiting and see what other owners are doing w/
TOPICS?
 
A yes, and let's see what THIS survey produces.  One no.
 
4) something else?
 
Just because it exists, doesn't mean you should use it.
 
Another wasn't sure that it would be of value to their list.
 
As an aside, I've received one comment from a list-owner who felt that
list subscribers won't play nice i.e., that the users will tend to
ignore setting the topic appropriately.
 
One agree but thought that a majority of the members will learn and use
this feature and eventually peer pressure may increase that to 90-95%
participation.
 
Major writers will be good.  Occasional writers will be inconsistent,
and that will be frustrating.  Subscribers that filter will be ignorant
(of the missing articles) bliss.
 
Thanks to the respondents !
 
/Pete ([log in to unmask])
--
Peter M. Weiss                     |              oas.psu.edu postmaster
31 Shields Bldg -- Penn State Univ.| "He was a couple of diskettes short
University Park, PA USA 16802-1202 |     of a complete hard disk backup"