First of all, sorry for the spam everyone, but I feel like this needs 
to be said.

Casale-san...with all due respect...it seems to me that your idea for 
splitting the FFML is, to put it bluntly, selfish and self-serving.

Then I am being misunderstood, and/or not stating my opinions clearly 
enough.

You want to split the list up because *you* don't like sifting 
through a lot of spam mail, and *you* feel like there's not enough 
chance to form close friendships here.

I also feel that these are common problems, although by no means 
shared by everyone.  I've heard numerous complaints of people leaving 
the list because of too much mail (not just spam!), or not joining 
because of too much mail.

Also, since I remember what it was like around two years ago, when 
the list began, that friendships *were* much easier to be had without 
mulling about in a vast cacophony of voices, I was assuming that 
possibly other people felt this way as well.

Since either I didn't make this clear before, or it wasn't well 
understood when I *did* say it, I'll say it here.

It seems to me that you are either not thinking of, or ignoring, some 
important details.

I've thought about this a lot.  See below.

Namely...

1) A split FFML would not benefit everyone; in fact, it would make 
things a LOT more chaotic than they already are.

Not if properly handled.  I've considered this part of the problem 
the most, actually.

2) The split FFML would limit the number of fanfics people would 
actually get a chance to read, not to mention limit the number of 
readers every writer would get for the fanfics they post.

Not so.  If the fanfics were all archived at a common place (say, 
100% Anime Fanfiction), then everyone would get a chance to read 
every fic.  Only, not every fic would get automatically mailed to 
everyone on the list(s).  This would not be a limitation either way 
for the people who had the time to both read the content of their 
sublist and go through the archive site for new and old fanfics.

HOWEVER, there is still a problem of organization here.  I would 
prefer an archive site on the web, with anonymous FTP access as well. 
 I would prefer a "Recent additions" section which would keep a 
revolving selection of fanfics which were added to the site within 
the past two weeks, say.  I would prefer a site organized by series, 
as well as a well-organized crossover section.  And I would prefer a 
site that allowed for easy updating of fics as they were rewritten, 
spell-checked, etc., by their authors.

Before implementing this idea at all, I'd want a site like this to be 
set up.  This would take time.  Therefore, I'm not suggesting we rush 
headlong into this idea at all.  The very reason I posted the idea 
was to get discussion going on it, to see if there was actually any 
interest in splitting the list.  I posted my opinions, and waited to 
see what others' opinions were.  I'm not just saying, "Do this."  I'm 
saying, "Why not do this?"

Okay?  I'm deliberately NOT being selfish, so I would appreciate it 
if you would not ascribe such intentions to my actions.

3) Consider this: White Wolf just upgraded his machine so it could 
handle the load of the FFML. Do you honestly think he'd be willing to 
try to set up FIVE mailing lists on the fanfic.com server? I know I 
wouldn't.

Neither would I.  That's why I offered to handle one or two.  My 
account and ISP can handle it, and I am allowed to run a mailing list 
from this account.

Bottom Line: As I believe someone else suggested, if you don't like 
the high volume of FFML, start your own fanfiction mailing list. 

I'm seriously thinking about it, but I don't think I have the 
resources on my own.  That's one other reason I was asking for 
interest, to see who else *might* have the resources.  One obvious 
candidate was WW himself, but by the responses I've gotten, I doubt 
that THIS mailing list will be split.

The FFML is just fine like it is. Please stop pressing this issue.

I do not intend to stop.  However, I do intend to take into account 
people's opinions, desires, etc., regarding splitting the list.
Damon Casale, damoo@carmelnet.com
Spam, spam!  WONDERFUL spam!  ^_^