KERN-L Archives

Archiver > KERN > 1997-03 > 0858034537


From: Chet Swanson <>
Subject: Updated Welcome Message
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 1997 14:55:37 -0800


WELCOME TO THE KERN SURNAME LIST

My name is Chet Swanson. I=92m the "owner" of this list. That means I=92m
responsible for keeping it running as smoothly as possible and setting some
rules for its operation.=20

This is a discussion area for anyone who is interested in researching their
KERN roots, including any related spellings of the surname, and no matter
where or when they were located. This mailing list is for you, and you make
it what it is. If you want to share research with others, this is the place
to post it. If you come across some KERN information, and it's not yours,
write it down! Send it to the whole group. You never know when someone
might need that information.

This list is set up so that replies to messages on the list automatically
go back to the originator. A copy of your reply does not go to the list in
general unless you manually add the address of the list to your reply.
This keeps down the volume of list messages, but it also means that replies
don=92t get seen by everyone. If you think your reply might be of interest
to the subscribers of the list, please add the list address to your reply.

There is a lot of important information in this message, including general
information about lists as well as specific information about this list.
I'll be glad to help you if you have problems, but I'll also be frank: If
you don't have time to read this message and learn the proper way to use
lists, you shouldn't be subscribed. Please take just a few minutes to read
this message. Keep it so you can refer to it later.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

That=92s right, you have some responsibilities also.

A mail list isn=92t like a movie, where you just buy a ticket, get
entertained (sometimes) then walk away. This is a cooperative effort.

1. Keep this message. I recommend printing it and putting the paper where
you can find it. Files on a hard disk get lost (as if paper doesn=92t,=
but=85)

2. Read this message. Yes, it=92s a little long, but you don=92t have to
memorize it (that=92s why you=92re saving it). It=92s hard to make it short=
and
tell you what you need to know.

3. Don=92t be afraid of all this. Using a computer is a little harder than
just knowing where the power switch is, but anyone can do this with a
little effort and by following instructions.

4. Follow instructions - to the letter. If you leave something out of a
command or put something extra in, it probably won=92t work.

5. If you decide to leave the list, make sure your name is removed (more
on this below). The server that sends you this list handles thousands of
messages a day. If your address becomes "bad" (for instance, you quit AOL
but we think you=92re still there) then we start getting bounced messages.
There are a lots of these error messages every day now. Please don=92t make
it worse.

6. Remember these three addresses:
a. If you need help, contact me. My address is:

b. To post a message to this list (so it goes to all members of this
list) send it to:

c. To send a command (commands are discussed below) send a message
to:

7. DO NOT FLAME PEOPLE on the list. If you are flamed, do not respond via
the list! Keep in mind that this list is set so that replies to messages
normally go to the originator and not the list. So, for the most part you
will not see many flames on this list. If you start receiving flames from
someone on this list, let me know. Just forward a copy of the message to
me. If it becomes a pattern I will do what I can to correct the situation.

8. Please stay on topic. Keep in mind that history can be a an important
part of genealogy. A discussion of current topics probably is not.=20

9. DO NOT send messages over about 30KB in size to the list in general.
That=92s somewhere around 15 pages or so of text. If you have a long
message, send the list a brief resume of what you have and offer to send it
to personal e-mail boxes of anyone who asks for it.

10. DO NOT send attachments to the list in general. There are still some
mail programs and some servers that will not handle attachments of any
type. Some systems are so sensitive that an attachment can lock up their
computers, and in some cases even crash a hard drive. Since I have
personally had this problem, this is one of my very hard and fast rules.
If I see a message to the list with an attachment, I will send you a
warning message. The second time it happens, you are gone!

ARE YOU GETTING MAIL

If you=92re reading this, you are signed up for this list.

If you are a new subscriber and don=92t start getting mail soon, send this
message:

Mail to:
Subject: review (subject line is not read, so you can leave this
blank)

Turn off your signature line if you have one. If not, you may get a
"weird" error message. Shortly after sending this message you should get a
message back from the server. Look on the message for your e-mail address.
If it=92s there, you will get any mail sent to the list. If it isn=92t the=
re
send in another sub message or , send me a message at .

WHAT IS THIS LIST

This is a discussion area for anyone who is interested in researching their
KERN roots, including any related spellings of the surname. It is for the
KERN surname at any time, and at any place. Although intended mainly for
people of this surname that originated in England, feel free to discuss
those of German origin also. =20

ARE THERE OTHER LISTS LIKE THIS

For a list of known Internet newsgroups linked to genealogy, send this
message:

Mail to:
Subject: lists (subject line is not read, so you can leave this=
blank)

I DON=92T LIKE WHAT SOME PEOPLE SAY ON THE LIST

This list is not moderated. Any message sent to it is automatically
bounced back out to everyone on the list. While I don=92t want to stifle
free discussion, as the list owner I reserve the right to step in if
messages to the list become unseemly (excessive profanity for example),
tedious (too long a discussion of a subject, etc.) or if a flame war
erupts. Again, since replies are not generally sent to the list, this
should not be much of a problem. =20

The most important key on your keyboard is the DELETE key. If you don=92t
like a message, delete it. Don=92t send a cutting or snide remark back to
the list. The rest of us don=92t want to read it, and it just adds to the
clutter of useless messages. If you feel there is a serious problem caused
by someone, send me a message at .

SOME COMMANDS

(These command, slightly modified, will work for ANY list on the MAISER
server. Use the exact same e-mail address, but modify your command line
(in the message body) as needed for the appropriate list.)

To subscribe to this list:
Mail to:
Subject: sub (subject line is not read, so you can leave this blank)

To unsubscribe from this list:
Mail to:
Subject: unsub (subject line is not read, so you can leave this blank)

To get your messages in Digest Form (now working):
Mail to:
Subject: digest (subject line is not read, so you can leave this=
blank)

To go back to regular mail mode:
Mail to:
Subject: nodigest (subject line is not read, so you can leave this
blank)

To turn off mail while out of town or on vacation:
Mail to:
Subject: nomail (subject line is not read, so you can leave this=
blank)

To turn your mail back on again:
Mail to:
Subject: mail (subject line is not read, so you can leave this blank)

VERY IMPORTANT=97If you have set yourself to the nomail status, please make
sure to use the mail command when you return to the list. DO NOT subscribe
again.

To retrieve archived messages:
Mail to:
Subject: filelist (subject line is not read, so you can leave this
blank)

and then carefully follow the instructions on the list you get back.

To see who else is on this list:
Mail to:
Subject: review (subject line is not read, so you can leave this=
blank)

HOW SOON SHOULD I GET AN ANSWER:

When you send a message to the list, you will get a copy back (since you=92r=
e
a subscriber too). The software at MAISER can=92t be set differently.

When you SUB, UNSUB, ask for a REVIEW, or SEND for something, you=92ll get a=
n
answer back from MAISER. (MAISER stands for MAIl SERver, by the way.)

Depending on a lot of factors, you may get an answer in 5 minutes or 5
hours, sometimes even longer. The server may be busy here. Generally if
you don=92t have a response within 12 hours, suspect a problem and try=
again.

I=92M HAVING A PROBLEM

Send me (Chet Swanson; ) a message, but be specific
about your problem. I can=92t help much if you just say, "I=92m having a
problem, help me." Tell me just what happened, what you did or tried to
do. If you receive some kind of error message, send it to me so I can
review it.

If you get an error message from MAISER, it will tell you what the error
is. A LOT of problems are cause by:

You tried to unsub and MAISER says you=92re not a subscriber, yet you=92re
getting mail.

* REVIEW the list and see how your address appears there. Send yourself a
message and see how your address appears in the header of the message.
Usually (if you=92re getting this error) they won=92t be the same. ISPs
(Internet service providers) are notorious for changing your address,
adding "mail" or "pop" or some other term to it - or taking it away. If
that is the case, all you can do is notify me so that I can try to help you.

You get a "list not known" or similar error.

* Check how you=92re spelling the list=92s name. This is critical. Rememb=
er
you=92re trying to tell a computer how to do something. As good as computer
are, they just aren=92t that smart. If you say one thing, that is exactly
how the computer expects to find what you are trying to do. Some common
errors on MAISER include:

New York Roots (it is supposed to be NewYork-ROOTS)
VA-ROOTS (that=92s not even on the MAISER server)
KYROOTS (ditto)

I NEED MORE HELP:

First, if you have more questions, try writing to me first
(). You can also contact one of these people by
e-mail. They will mentor you:

Beth
Carol C-H
Donna
Ruth
Pat
Rose
Rebecca
Sandy

Vivian
Terri

Also, there is a new web page available that may help you. Point your web
browser at:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/9640/index.html

There is also a good file here with tips on using the Internet and lists
for genealogy. Send the following command:

Mail to:
Subject: send guidelin

Have Fun!

Chet Swanson

--
Chet Swanson
Everett, WA
mailto:

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