I'm one of those AOL unfortunates who must now download the FML in order to
read it.  This added step makes it doubly difficult to keep up with things
when I can't even decipher the contents of the list.
 
I don't know if it's feasible for the moderator to rewrite the subject lines
in postings to more accurately describe them.  It is, however, quite
feasible to strongly suggest a common format that will help everyone use
this list more effectively.
 
For example, questions should be identified as such (with a ?  or
something).  Answers should perhaps contain A: or something similar.
Without this, the reader doesn't know whether "Pooping next to the litter
box" is another question about the topic, or an answer s/he can actually
try!
 
Also, posters have a terrible habit of titling their contributions in vague
and meaningless ways.  I don't need to know "Binky is sick"; I would rather
see "?: Measuring temperature" or "?: Bloated abdomen and eye discharge."
That way, I can decide if I need to read the posting.
 
I realize this problem is endemic in most newgroups, but it is still a real
pain.  We will all get more from the list if we all contribute something to
improving it.  Take 10 seconds to craft a useful subject line!
 
[Moderator's note: If a subject line is missing I make one up.  If a subject
line is present, I use it, even if it is not very descriptive.  Adding a
subject to a post that doesn't have one is one of the more time consuming
parts of editing the FML and it helps a lot if you supply one.  And since
you're supplying one anyhow, may as well make it a good one.  (Yes, I am
aware that a couple of you aren't able to supply a subject due to oddities
of your mail system, but such systems are diminishing in number, thankfully.
 
As for me changing the subject if one is supplied - I'd rather not start
trying to second-guess your choice.  I don't change any original text of
any posts and your choice of a subject counts as your text in my opinion.
 
(Just to clarify, I *do* reformat, trim signatures on multiple postings,
may shorten quoted text and sometimes even combine posts.  But I don't
change your text without permission.)  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 1478]