At 04:21 PM 1/28/97 +0000, you wrote:
>What are the techniques that are used to avoid automatic
>vacation messages from causing mail loops (and unhappy
>subscribers).  I don't use LISTSERV but I assume that
>similar techniques can be used with V-Mailserver.
>

I wouldn't assume that at all.  I know nothing about VMailserver, and it
isn't likely many others here do either.  After all, we're all using
LISTSERV(R) instead of something else because we found the best product and
know it is worth it.

Will your product trap duplicate messages?  If not, an answer is gone.
Listserv will trap and not send out duplicate messages, which most vacation
msgs are.   LISTSERV also has other techniques for keeping mailloops from
happening, including an adjustable level of messages per day and only
accepting postings from list members.  Many vacation programs don't show
the return address on the "out of office" message to be the same as the
subscriber, so they don't get posted.

Of course the dream we ALL have is that people set up their rules for
vacation messages to be sent to NOT include lists, and that they'll also
set the lists to nomail, so there won't be any msgs to reply to.  But....we
know how our users/customers are.....and indeed, some mail programs can't
handle NOT sending to lists.

Good luck....and consider LISTSERV(R).  No I don't work for them.  I'm a
happy customer since late 80s, though.

dan