I for one would like to object that the idea behind LISTSERV, MAILER and like software is network maintenance. I claim that the idea behind them is network traffic promulgation. If they help A LITTLE BIT with maintenance that is OK, but they should place network function ahead of network dis- function. So if part of the net is not working quite right, they should put "dealing" with that (backwards error reporting for example) far behind getting the message thru and preventing junk traffic (as best they can). I especially like the LISTSERV duplicate post prevention. And I especially dislike all the software which thinks it has some obligation to keep the net running properly. Can we leave that task to the down nodes, and not propogate the distress thruout the world? I for one would like that. Dave Gomberg GOMBERG@UCSFVM Internet node UCSFVM.UCSF.EDU fax-> 7797 Seven Gateview Court, San Francisco CA 94116-1941 voice-> (415)731-7793