Tony: The "net" is a very dynamic place. I co-operate an international list called INFOSYS that has about 5000 subscribers. Every few weeks we put out (distribute) a posting. I would say about 1% are returned with error messages similar to what you have documented, as well as "user unknown." We generally delete those userids. In the intervening weeks, more users subscribe and unsubscribe of their own accord. The next distribution, the same kind of per centage are returned. Pragmatically, this is the way it is. If you are reading documentation, postings, listings, whatever, you are going to encounter problems when you try to use those addresses. Take a look at the RECEIVED headers in the message that you posted to me -- each RECEIVED line represents one or MORE computer processes that were invoked. Each one is an opportunity for things going awry. These "things" are maintained by human beings with various levels of trust, expertise, or interest. Sometimes I'm amazed that things work at all. -- co-owner: INFOSYS, TQM-L, CPARK-L, ERAPPA-L, JANITORS, LDBASE-L, et -L URL:mailto:[log in to unmask] "BEEP if you luv LDBASE"