Or, what to when you think your email client is
broken/misconfigured/fubar'd.  Or you just haven't received any messages
of late.

DO NOT SEND TEST MESSAGES TO THE MAILING LIST!

What do we need to do, force new subscribers to write an original haiku to
the effect of 'I shall not abuse the list upon my honour' ???  

And now, the latest miscreant:

On Mon, 27 Oct 1997, William Chan2 wrote:

Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 06:57:39 -0700
From: William Chan2 <chengdo@shaw.wave.ca>
To: fanfic@fanfic.com
Subject: [FFML] [Spam]test message don't read this

First of all, we have the 'classic' breaking of netiquette.  The mailing
of a small, otherwise meaningless message to a public mailing list.  In
fact, a list that sends you a warning 'do not send test messages' when you
subscribe to the list. 

 Sorry for the spam.  I just have to check what's wrong with my email
program.  It keeps sending my messages under my cousin's name.  I never had
problems with the program before.  Again, sorry for the spam.

Ah, we have an apology.. of sorts.  But the excuse is... it just doesn't
cut it.  Sorry William (unless thats your cousin ;) ), you just happened
to post at the wrong time.

Simple Q&A time.

Q: I'm not sure what my outgoing mail looks like, how do I see what it
   looks like?

A: Email yourself@your.isp , then check your mail.  You should see your
   message.

Q: I haven't received any messages for a while, can I make sure the
   mailing list works?

A: No.  Of course, you might actually *want* to appear a fool in front of
   several hundred of your peers, but that is your decision.  Even if you
   wish to appear the fool, don't send test messages.  Write something
   slightly amusing, even if it does happen to be your lustings after
   anime characters with the aid of weaponary... maybe not that ;)

Q: But but but... I'm too lazy to do that.  I reallly reaaaallllly want to
   send a test message.

A: Email <fanfic-request@fanfic.com> and put 'help' in the subject line.
   Even better, just email <faq@fanfic.com>.  You will get an email
   message back either way giving help on the mailing list or the FAQ for
   the mailing list, both of which may just be useful.

Q: but I think it will make me look better with the opposite sex!

A: Go take a shower and dream.  Don't pester us ;)

Q: Would you believe I'm just seeking attention cus I can't unsubscribe?

A: Not really, although the option is there, email
   <fanfic-request@fanfic.com> (that -request thang happens a bit) with
   'unsubscribe' in the subject line.  u-n-s-u-b-s-c-r-i-b-e, not
   unscburibe or something.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to rearranging my servers ;)

                                        ~~~~~
                  The Chaotic Trickster - kergma@thelbane.ranma.net

                   On the 14th of February Nineteen Sixty-Six
                                  -- Australia went Decimal.