Poor Bill! Being a moderator isn't easy, and not only doing it alone, but also having a list with great latitude in the types of posts allowed has got to make it a harder task still. Then to top it off any list has a lot of behind the scenes work. I just wanted to say, Bill, that I think that you do a great job of getting a balance to the list -- one which suits a wide range of tastes. Of course, there is always the old saying the "The proof is in the pudding." and that proof can be seen in the extreme longevity of the FML. Most lists do not last over a year and do not last over 1,000 members. (Isn't it useful to know internet sociologists and internet anthropologists?) The FML's first digest was on Dec 21, 19:14 1987 so it is approaching it's 17th birthday in only 3 weeks (Everyone get cake, balloons, and noise makers!), and Bill Gruber has been the moderator for most of that time. Before then he began the anonymous posting option which was begun to protect those in FFZs (Ferret Free Zones -- places where ferrets can't be legally had) which were far more numerous in the past. The number of subscribers has been in the thousands for many, many years. I think that the reason it keeps going is because usually there is enough of a balance. It has serious posts, fun posts, behavioral posts, health posts, show posts, genetics posts, poetry contests (sometimes specifically haiku or limmerick contests), seasonal stories, projects of all sorts from helping with major rescues to changing laws and regulations, shared silly stories, product tips, cautions, sympathy for those in need, and so much more. Not everything suits everyone, but it's like a magazine that way. People leaf past magazine articles which don't interest them and on the FML they can scroll. Nothing is ideal for everyone, but by the measures of membership size and longevity the FML is so unusually successful that I know it has been followed by some of those aforementioned internet sociologists and anthropologists at times when they needed to study what actually works. In the world of the internet the FML is an unmitigated success and virtually without peer! We're a good crowd here; never forget that. Tolerance is part of our strength. -- Sukie (the old fart who has been here forever and always) [Posted in FML issue 4713]