You know, you have a point about the ML going down and test messages are
basically useless BUT... I have NEVER gotten any test messages sent back
to me after the ML goes back online.  Is it just me?  I don't know.  I
usually don't put test messages on, but if I resubscribe and a day later,
I still don't get anything, don't I have the right to be somewhat anxious?
You have to admit, the ML does weird things sometimes, and I don't think
it'd be above accidently omitting a few "subscribe" messages.  But most
importantly of all, when you spam or test message, whatever, there is no
real consequence since everything that was sent during that time
(including non-spam) was like it was never sent.  So IMO, I think test
messages when the ML has been down for a day, and your subscription didn't
do anything for awhile after that... justifies tests.
Jya Ne
Shiaw Chi "Hokodan"