On Mon, 7 Aug 2000, Matt wrote: > I am trying to take ownership of a list where the current owner no longer > has the same email address and the list is currently locked and I have no > way to get a hold of the owner. Is there any way to unlock the list and to > transfer the list ownership to me, or am I out of luck? This is a real "iffy" with lots of permutaions. Site animisstrator can unlock the list and add you as owner, but you best have really good evidence before you ask for it. Some site administrators are wothless and will ignore you, some will talk to you (you best have chapter and verse, extensive documentaion of the problem, etc.). Locked lists may be perversly intentional (I unwittingly helped set up one of those), complacency, oversight or lack of knowledge. Site administrator(s) may or may not be willing to help/advise. Each situation must be evaluated for its features. Some site aministrators wish the lists would go away and won't help much, if at all. You cannot assume all site administrators know what you are talking about, nor that they know what to do about it if they do (you many have explain procedural details before they can do what they freely acknowledge should be done). Asking a site administrator to unlock a list so people can get off is one thing; asking that you be installed as listowner is another. I have done some "list rescues", some just getting people off the list, some "hijacks" for establishment elsewhere. Sometimes site administrators will help, sometimes not (entirely my experience, LSOFT usually won't help if the "owner" is buying the service, regardless of abundant evidence of abuse (the person paying the money pretty much gets to do as he pleases regardless of any other consideration)). Each such situation must be considered on its own merits and approach should be tailored to that. For the question asked I would want a *lot* of corroboration, whether as helpful listowner (I've been burned) or site administrator . Douglas