<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Yesterday we a coincidence that seems to have confused a lot of the
CELIAC subscribers.  Here is what happened:

  1. Somebody incorrectly sent a message to the list address, asking to
     unsubscribe from the list.  This message was then sent to all of
     you, just as any other message would be.  It did NOT mean that
     anyone else would be unsubscribed.  However...

  2. Just by chance, the St. Johns Listserv went down, for about 12
     hours, right after that message.

So a lot of you were wondering if you had somehow been unsubscribed
from the list.  A few of you sent messages to the listowners asking what
happened, and that is fine.  Unfortunately, a few of you sent messages
to the list asking what happened; this should never be done!  Consider:

  -- If the list is down, or if you have been unsubscribed, then no one
     would see the message anyway.

  -- If the list is working and your subscription is okay, then your
     message would get passed on to 2,500 other subscribers--none of
     whom can answer your question or solve your problem.  Imagine what
     your mailbox would look like if all 2,500 subscribers sent a
     "where is everybody?" post to the list all at once!

To see if the system is up and running, you can send a simple message as
a test to [log in to unmask] containing this line:

   thank you

If the listserv is running properly, you will quickly get back a very
polite response from the listserv:

   You're welcome!

If you want to see if you are still subscribed and getting mail, send
a message to LISTSERV@containing this line:

   query celiac

If you get no immediate response, be patient; sometimes there can be a
delay of an hour or more.  This is normal.  However, if several hours go
by without a response, or if you get a response that says you are not
subscribed or have mail turned off, then send a message directly to the
listowners (NOT to the celiac list).  If the system is up (it usually
is) send your message to [log in to unmask]; if your
think the system is down write to the listowners directly at both:

   [log in to unmask]
   [log in to unmask]

Usually the CELIAC-REQUEST address is best for these types of questions,
because if the system is down we'll soon know about it and you'll just
have to wait out the "silent" period until it is back up again.  If the
system is up we will get your message and act on it as soon as one of us
checks our mail.

For the listowners,

--
Michael Jones ([log in to unmask]) Orlando, FL USA
Visit the Celiac WEB site at: Http://rdz.stjohns.edu/lists/celiac