Nathan,

 

I had this exact problem with list members on the University of Minnesota's gmail system. Gmail and Listserv digest format do not play well together. The best answer I got was from someone else on this list, who said that he is encouraging gmail users to set up their filters to handle list messages rather than using digest format.  Setting up filters is very easy, but it does take a few steps.  I wrote up a protocol for gmail users on our "Sustag" (sustainable agriculture) listserv, which I've copied below. I think there may be fewer steps for people using Yahoo or some other email service.

 

Regards,

Jane Grimsbo Jewett

 

How To Set Up a Gmail Filter for Sustag Messages to Replace Digest Format

 

First step: switch your Sustag subscription back to "Regular" rather than "Digest."  To do this: 

 

1. Send a message to: [log in to unmask] (Be sure to use the address that you subscribed with in the "From" line).

 

2. Leave the subject line blank

 

3. In the body of the message, type the following command:  set sustag NODIG

 

You should get a confirmation message back that this command was applied.

 

Then, you need to wait a bit until you get a couple of SUSTAG messages into your inbox.

 

Now, to set up the gmail filter:

 

1. In your inbox, check the box to the left of a SUSTAG message.

 

2. Click on the "More actions" button at the top of the inbox list.

 

3. From the drop-down list, choose "Filter messages like these."

 

4. You will see a box containing several fields of search criteria. Type SUSTAG in the "Subject" field. Delete any other text so that all other fields are blank. Click the "Next Step" button.

 

5. You will see a "Choose action" box with a number of choices. Check "Apply the Label:"

 

6. Then from the "Choose label" drop-down list, choose "New Label." Enter the label name in the pop-up box that appears. This is where Sustag messages will go, so name it something like Sustag or Sustag_msg. Click OK when you have typed the label name.

 

7. Now you are back at the "Choose action" box. Check "Skip the inbox." This will cause all Sustag messages to be automatically archived under your new label.

 

8. Click "Create Filter."

 

Done!

Jane Grimsbo Jewett

Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture

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The best fertilizer for the land is the footprint

of the owner. -- Aristotle, Economy (paraphrased)