This is intended to help streamline postings. Don't take it personally, please. Just some suggestions from a list user, nothing official here. 1. When replying to a post, please edit your response to remove as much of the prior post as possible. Only include the relevant text that you reply to. Don't include the entire thread. Delete as much as possible. Only the relevant sentences you are replying to need be included. The prior posts are already in our "IN" boxes, thanks. Those of you who subscribe to the digest version, PLEASE do NOT just hit "reply" to posts, as you will re-send the ENTIRE digest to everyone on the list. Edit your response. A little scrolling will go a long way to keeping people reading your posts. Don't do it, and most of us will just hit "delete" without reading what you wanted us to read. There aren't enough hours in the day, folks. Sorry. Yes, this means you have to do some cutting. But it makes a difference with your audience. Including the ENTIRE thread as quoted text might have the effect of turning-off your intended audience. It sure does for me. Most of us have enough email to read-through, without having to look at the same text OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. You may have a desperate urge to reply instantly, but not taking the time to delete the entire thread that you are replying to only diminishes your position among the rest of us. We have lives of our own and appreciate your efforts to deliver your message without unnecessary repetition. Reading takes time. Data often costs money if you use the list on a smart phone. Nobody wants to have to open a post that includes paragraphs of info they've already read. Many of us are guilty of this. Please take the time to edit your replies. It only works in your favor. Most of the replies on the Alton Mine fiasco included days worth of duplicated posts as quoted replies. That was ridiculious. You know who you are. 2. When replying to a post, DON'T re-label the subject as "OT" (Off-Topic). If you are genuinely replying to a post having anything to do with astronomy or the related instrumentation or science, it's topical. If you wax elloquent beyond the originial post, only then is this appropriate, in some cases. Let the Admins make the decision if you are in doubt. Patrick and Rich are the most level-headed people I know. Trust their judgement. It becomes a pain if too may replies have taken-off into "OT" branches. 3. Finally, TAKE SOME TIME to compose your reply. Replying in the heat of the moment is never a good idea. This isn't debate class. I'm guilty of this as much as anyone and am sincerely trying to mend my ways. I further pledge to never reply to a hot topic after more than one cocktail, or if short on keyboard time. Better to walk away and return later. The Internet isn't going anywhere. Your audience isn't, either, unless you've pissed them off by blowing off suggestions 1 and 2. Ok, that's just my 4 cents. I'm not an admin or moderator of this fourm, just a grateful subscriber who never has enough keyboard time to suit myself. Your suggestions and constructive critisicisms are solicited and appreciated. Thanks for your time. C.