Dear Listowner Folks,

My question is difficult to state without
sounding arrogant and insular - for which
I apologize in advance.

Old

My perception is that 'in the old days'
about a decade ago, most folks on the
'Net were highly educated and highly,
shall we say, curious. Lots of graduate
students and professors, mostly *@*.edu.
Not 100%, of course, but certainly a
preponderance.

New

With the advent of *@*.com, and several
other commercial openings, my current
perception is that we have the mass of
unwashed north american humanity
wandering the 'Net - anyone who can
afford a computer - many without computer
(or other) education, and some without the
intellectual curiosity and drive to learn
that was previously observed.

So

How can a LISTSERV owner (or developer)
make membership in a list a positive
experience for even the inattentive and
casual literate visitor?

What parts of the LISTSERV experience
cause the most difficulty for the casual
member? I think it would be clerical matters
(subscribing, unsubscribing, set-ing), and
snipping. What else?

How can one set up a LISTSERV to
minimize the clerical difficulties, and
maximize the LISTSERV experience,
for members who can't be bothered
to *read* the Welcome message, or even
the message banners?

Proposals?

I think I'm going to add the SUBJ thingie
and DIGEST to the defaults, to help the
ones who can't make filters and those
who don't read the instructions. What else
can we do to accommodate them?

 Pax,
Ballew Kinnaman <[log in to unmask]> 206/463-2322
Discussion list owner:
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