Contacting Rootsweb Email Forum Managers.

A. OWNER ADDRESS. This is generally the preferred method.

 * Determine the exact name of the Rootsweb mailing list for which you need 
   to contact the Forum Manager. The Forum email address should be in a form 
   something like [email protected] or [email protected]. 
   For this exercise, the part of the address BEFORE the -L or the -D is all 
   you need. Write it down. In our example, the part we need is YOURLIST.

 * Rootsweb mailing lists are currently handled from one of two possible 
   servers at Rootsweb. The addresses for these two servers are 
   LISTS.ROOTSWEB.COM and LISTS2.ROOTSWEB.COM (only difference is the "2").

   If YOURLIST is handled by the LISTS.ROOTSWEB.COM server then email sent 
   to [email protected] will go to the Forum Manager.

   If YOURLIST is handled by the LISTS2.ROOTSWEB.COM server then email sent 
   to [email protected] will go to the Forum Manager.

 * If you don't know which server handles YOURLIST, then address your message 
   to both of the two possible addresses. The wrong one will be rejected and 
   returned undeliverable. But, the other one will be delivered. Make a note 
   of which one did not work for future reference.


B. REQUEST METHOD. Messages sent to the REQUEST address which do not have
   a valid command line are forwarded to the Forum Manager. Thus, sending 
   a text email message to the REQUEST address is a way to reach the manager. 
   But, keep the following in mind when using this method.

 * Be careful not to use the command words "SUBSCRIBE" or "UNSUBSCRIBE" near 
   the beginning of your message. The server may interpret such words as a
   subscription request and subscribe or unsubscribe you accordingly.

 * Many Forum Managers have automated filters configured to process incoming 
   messages. They may set the filters to move incoming REQUEST messages to a 
   folder. And, they might not monitor messages in this folder as often as 
   you would like. So it may be awhile before they notice your message. If 
   they notice it at all, mixed in with dozens of other request notices.

   Your REQUEST address is the same one you used when subscribing to the 
   service.  It is in a format like [email protected] 
   or [email protected].


C. TAGLINE METHOD. Many services provide an email address, a web address, 
   or some other contact information tagged onto the bottom of each message 
   sent through the service. Examine several recent messages from the 
   service for such information. 


D. ASK OTHERS. If you can't get hold of the Manager, you might try seeking 
   help somewhere else.

 * Ask one of the active participants for help. They may know another way 
   to reach the Manager. Or, they might be able to answer your questions 
   and give you all the help you need. 

 * If you can't find someone to help you, try to find a web site that has 
   pages with Help, or Frequently Asked Questions and answers. You might 
   find that your questions have been asked before and the answers you seek 
   may be posted online for all to read. 

 * You might find a message board at an online site where you can post a
   question or ask for assistance. Some good samaritan may see your posting 
   and send you a response that solves your problems.


E. PUBLIC METHOD. Some Forum Managers may not allow this. Review applicable 
   policy statements before trying this. This method should only be used if 
   you can't make contact by the techniques explained above. In this method 
   you just send a message to the Mailing List Forum asking the Manager to 
   get in touch with you directly. This is not desirable since your message 
   will probably be off-topic and it will be distributed to everyone on the 
   subscribers list. If you must use this method, avoid stimulating 
   off-topic discussions which others might try to continue in the Forum. 


Keep in mind that the people who serve as Managers for these email forums
sometimes have other activities which keep them away from answering the email at
times. They don't have a staff of assistants and most often it is just one
person. Sometimes things like jobs, families, vacations, personal interests,
computer problems, health, etc., prevent them from responding as quickly as some
would like. But, after all, we can't demand much from a free service, can we?

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