There have been some excellent replies to this, hut I'll throw in my comments too, at your sufferance. (By the way, sic your lawyer(s) on your net.kook, Anita. Just be sure of your grounds and your people know what to go for. Good luck and let us know of developments.) Always keep in mind it is *your* list, you *are* the owner, if for no other reason than the many hours you put in to try to keep it running as smoothly as possible, and that *you* are responsible to your host site. Having a gateway to usenet is fine, if you want it as a courtesy to some who prefer that sort of access. But remember it is a courtesy on your part, not an obligation. If decide the gateway is more trouble than it's worth (and I'm starting to agree with, I think, Nathan that it's really uselessnet) simply shut it down. There may be howls of protest, but they can always get direct subs, if they are *really* interested. I'ld like to emphasize what others have said about copyright. If these binary files are being used to send photos and posters you, and your host site, could be in for *big* trouble. Assume, with the extensions of copyright, changes to law, Berne convention, etc., it will be under copyright as long as you live (and maybe as long as your children live, if you have any). And besides a lot (most ?) of your subs not knowing what the heck to do with a uuencode file, there is always the possibility someone will try to slip something nasty (virus, outright blatant porn, etc.) through. Are you going to decode each item to be sure it is what it purports to be? To me, the risks so far outweigh the benefits you have every justification you need to refuse to allow such activity. Some people want to exchange these files? Fine, they know how to do it, they can exchange them privately (someone can say "I've got so-and-so in this format, contact *me* if you want it"), but not on the list. Oh, goodness, I could go on and on. No one else can stop me, so I'd best do it myself. Just remember that *you* do the work and that your host site probably holds *you* responsible for the list, and everything on it. It is sometimes unpleasant to do what, in your best judgement, needs to be done, but if ya gotta do it, ya gotta do it. Douglas Douglas Winship Hays County, Texas [log in to unmask] Secondary AUTOCAT Listowner MEDLAB-L