When you send an e-mail message to the address of the open line list, , our computer will (usually) relay a copy of your message to every member of APsaA who subscribes to the list. However, each message is checked by the computer for errors before being sent out to all the list subscribers; sometimes, instead of being distributed, your message may be returned to you.

Besides the inclusion of HTML code, the two most common errors that cause returns are (1) inclusion of multiple addresses in messages, and (2) inclusion of extensive copies of previous list messages in replies. To spare yourself the private humiliation of having your messages rejected, you should carefully check each message to the list for these possible problems before hitting the “send” button.

When replying to a list message, there is no need to send a separate individual copy to the person to whom you are replying. Do not attempt to send messages to the list with multiple “To:” addresses or with “CC:”s. Such messages will be rejected. The only acceptable address is the list address itself. If it is absolutely necessary to send a simultaneous copy of your list message to someone else, include the other address as a “blind copy” (“BCC:”) so that our server computer and our list subscribers will not see the address.

Likewise, when replying to a message on the list, do not include the entire message to which you are responding. You may include a few lines from prior messages as needed to establish the context of your reply. Never include the header or footer line from a previous message.

“TechNotes” runs in each issue of TAP, with the aim of educating us about aspects of technology and communications relevant to our work.