the list reaches just over 1000 addresses. However, I think it is precisely the 'by the way' comments and small circles of activity that really fosters the research community here. This is a discussion list. These small circles and comments to each other tend to be one of the main areas that people interact here, without that we would become more of an announcement list and that would be a loss. That said, I think people have to take responsibility for their actions and the methods they use to post things. I'd prefer people not to use html or mime encoding, and if they need help learning how to do that, instruction can probably be arranged through many of the list users who have that knowledge. I label this a positive action, whereas rules or moderation to limit peoples action would be a negative action. I think that if you want things to change you probably should seek out ways of becoming positively involved in the list, not negative ways of limiting others. people can lead by setting an example for others in manner of their participation. if someone posts something in a way you don't like and if you have the time, you could write them instructions as to how and why they should do it differently. we have managed to do some things with the list, we've cut down the frequent reposting of the digests, we've cut back on really large postings, we've stopped external spam, but I don't think there is much more that we should do with the software, other than to allow those people who have vision and apply themselves in aoir and on aoir lists and as such set the tone for the list in the future. jeremy hunsinger jhuns@vt.edu on the ibook www.cddc.vt.edu www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy www.dromocracy.com