<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
The listowners are pleased to announce that we now have 1,500
subscribers to the CELIAC e-mail list, from 27 different countries.
This seems to be a good time to add a few administrative notes.
 
1. A new file is available on the list:  REL-DIS.  This file contains
   contact information for national organizations supporting many of the
   diseases often associated with celiac disease, due to their possible
   genetic link or nearby gene sites.  This is not just an Internet
   contact list (snail mail and phone numbers are provided).
   Information on how to obtain Internet resources is provided when
   known.  To get this file, send GET CELIAC REL-DIS CELIAC in the body
   of an e-mail message to: [log in to unmask]
 
   Please note that this file is a "work-in-progress".  If you have
   knowledge of web sites, e-mail lists, or other information for the
   disorders listed in this file, or for other associated disorders that
   should be in this file, please send that information to Mike Jones at
   <[log in to unmask]>
 
2. We also have files containing lists of celiac support groups and
   resource people available on the list, as follows:
 
      GROUPSCA - Canadian support groups
      GROUPSIT - Italian support groups
      GROUPSUS - United States support groups
      GROUPSIN - support groups for other countries.
 
   We have recently updated the GROUPSUS file with several new resource
   people, updated info on several groups, and added more e-mail
   addresses.  We also recently added all the known local groups for
   Italy, and placed the Italy info in a separate file, GROUPSIT.  These
   files can be obtained using the command GET CELIAC GROUPSxx CELIAC,
   sent to [log in to unmask]  (Substitute CA, IT, etc., for
   "xx".)
 
   These files are continually being updated, as we learn of new groups
   and contacts.  If you have information on a group or contact that is
   not listed, please let me know by e-mail at <[log in to unmask]>.
 
3. With the expansion of WWW sites; and with newer software browsers
   that send/receive e-mail as well as viewing these sites, a mail
   problem has developed.  The listserv that runs our CELIAC list only
   supports messages that are in text format.  However, the default
   configuration for many browsers is graphics format.  When a graphics
   message is transmitted to the list, strange characters are observed.
   A common sign of this is the "=" at the end of each line.  Please
   refer to your browser's manual to determine how to establish a
   default of text only for e-mail messages.
 
   Also, there tends to be a "wrap around" problem with messages sent
   from some browsers, due to line lengths of up to 100 characters.
   Each line then gets split up into two lines, one about 80 characters
   long (and often indented), followed by a short line of up to 20
   characters that is not indented.  These messages are difficult to
   read.  The best line length is about 72 characters, but anything up
   to 78 is acceptable to allow marking of quoted lines in replies.
   Please refer to your browser's manual to determine how to establish a
   default line-length of 72 to 78 characters.
 
4. When you refer to a product or a company in a message to the list,
   please if at all possible provide a complete contact name, address,
   and phone number for the company in your message.  Whether you are
   stating a product is great or terrible, GF or not GF, it is important
   to provide contact information for the other subscribers.  This
   allows them to do their own follow-up on the product/company.  If you
   know the e-mail address or a WEB site address for the company, please
   include that as well.
 
   Also if you have a product that you figure may have a 1-800 number
   and it is not listed on the container, just call 800 directory
   assistance and ask for the company in the city from the address on
   the container.  The number for directory assistance in the US and
   Canada is 1-800-555-1212.
 
   Several companies and their addresses are available in the reference
   files named "MFGxxxx", where "xxxx" stands for CA for Canadian
   companies or US-A, US-B, and US-C for United States companies.
   (There are three US files due to the large number of companies.)
   These files can be obtained using the command GET CELIAC MFGxxxx
   CELIAC, sent to [log in to unmask]
 
   A list of vendors specializing in GF mail-order products is also
   available in the reference file VENDORS.  To get this file, use the
   command GET CELIAC VENDORS CELIAC.
 
To obtain any of these files, a new message must be sent to the LISTSERV
address.  (You can get as many files as you want by putting each command
on its own line in the message.)  Please do not try to order files via a
reply to this message.  If you experience trouble, you may send a
message to Mike Jones <[log in to unmask]> requesting help.
 
For the listowners,
 
Jim Lyles ........ <[log in to unmask]> ........ Holly, Michigan, USA