[Warning: The following may be offensive to some readers. If you're someone
who has accidentally left off the -request from the proper address before,
but knew what you should have done, then just ignore this. If you know the
right way to get on and off the list and set your flags, just ignore this.
But if you're someone who's never bothered to read the FFML FAQ, or got the
entire list pissed off at you for not bothering to do so, then please read.
Also, if you're an idiot, please read. Anyone else, please read. This is
important stuff.]


FFML Unsubscribing and List Commands for Idiots (Because There Are A LOT Of
You)



It is incredibly, unbearably sad to see that only a few days after the FAQ
was reposted, we're still getting idiots who send list commands and unsub
requests to the list. In frustration, this is one last, vain attempt to
explain to all idiots simultaneously that FFML@FANFIC.COM is *NOT* the
address where you send unsubscribe and list command messages.

First, let's deal with unsubscribing. This is a snippet of the FFML FAQ:

To UNSUBSCRIBE from the mailing list, simply send a message with the
words [unsubscribe ffml] in the body or subject of the message to
[ffml-request@fanfic.com] or [listar@fanfic.com]. Again, the older
addresses will not work.

Please note that this tells you to use either ffml-request@fanfic.com, or
listar@fanfic.com. Nowhere in this paragraph does it tell you that
ffml@fanfic.com can be used to unsubscribe. Why? Because it can't.


Now, a lot of you are trying to use ffml@fanfic.com to send 'set ffml
vacation'. Read please this snippet of the FAQ dealing with flags and list
commands:

set ffml <flag>
Sets the flag you specify on your subscription to the list.
See the "What are flags, and how do I use them?" section below.

unset ffml <flag>
Unsets the flag you specify on your subscription to the list.

stats ffml
Shows what options you have set on your subscription to the
list.

flags
Gives a list of all currently available flags.

And now, for the important part...let's all pay attention here...

Again, all of these commands should be done by sending mail to
[ffml-request@fanfic.com] or [listar@fanfic.com] with the commands in
the body of the message.  You should end the message with the command
'end', just to ensure that the software doesn't try to process a
signature file or the advertising banners that free e-mail places add.

Notice how this paragraph says NOTHING about using ffml@fanfic.com to
process list commands? That's because IT CAN'T. ffml@fanfic.com is the
address for posting stuff TO THE FFML. That means anything sent to that
address will be posted to the FFML, it won't be processed as a list
command, and you'll look like an idiot in front of the FFML at large.

To review, briefly:

ffml@fanfic.com : Used for POSTING TO THE LIST. NOT used for LIST COMMANDS.
Don't post list commands here. Only idiots post list commands here.

ffml-request@fanfic.com : Used for SUBSCRIBING, UNSUBSCRIBING, and LIST
COMMANDS. This is where you post your unsubscribe and your set ffml
vacation stuff.

listar@fanfic.com : The other place you can send subs, unsubs, and set ffml
vacation stuff.

In closing:

DON'T SEND UNSUBS or SET FFML VACATION or ANYTHING REMOTELY SIMILAR to
FFML@FANFIC.COM. The only thing this accomplishes is showing the FFML at
large that you are an idiot.