NOTICE: 

The Forum Server is configured to use the Forum as the default REPLY-TO
address.  This means that if the person sending a message to the list did not
include a REPLY-TO line in their email program settings, then the mail server
will insert a REPLY-TO setting to direct replies to the forum.  The server
will not overwrite a REPLY-TO if the sender included one.  So it is your
choice whether to have replies to your messages automatically addressed back
to you or to the forum.  

IT IS YOUR CHOICE.  YOU CAN CHANGE THIS FOR YOUR MESSAGES IF YOU SO CHOOSE. 

All you need to do to override the Forum Reply-To default is to setup a
"Reply-To" address in your email program.  The server will not change any
existing Reply-To settings in incoming messages.  You will have to study your
email manual or help menus to learn how to adjust the setups for your program. 

WHAT'S A "REPLY-TO" ADDRESS? ISN'T THAT AUTO MAGICALLY INSERTED?

It means just what the name implies.  Email programs create "Headers" for all
outgoing email messages. The header is like the instructions found on the
outside of envelopes in postal mail.  Email programs usually hide most of the
header information when the message is being read.  The header is created by
your email program for each message you write.  When you setup your email
program you probably entered some of this information.  It includes items like
your name or pseudonym (aka Handle), your email address, and other optional
"Identity" type information.  Typical header fields include:

 Subject: 
    Date: 
    From: 
Reply-To: 
      To: 

Your email program inserts information into the header using the settings you
configured for your computer and email program. It inserts in the Subject Line
the subject you entered for the message.  It inserts in the Date Line the
clock settings you set on your computer.  It inserts in the From Line whatever
email address you've put in your email settings.  And, if you've put an
address in your email program for the Reply-To option, then it inserts that
into the Reply-To Line.  If you leave the Reply-To setting blank, then it will
be blank in the header.

For example, in Netscape Messenger these items are entered using the
"Preferences" option under the "Edit" Menu.  Netscape, like other good email
programs, allows you to setup both an email address and a Reply-To address.  

If you leave the Reply-To setting empty, then your outgoing messages will not
have a Reply-To line in the message header.  This doesn't make your messages
unrepliable.  Email programs are designed to automatically use the Reply-To
address for replies.  When no Reply-To address is given, they default back to
the address shown in the From line of the header.  That is why you usually get
replies even if you have no address setup in the Reply-To option.

WHY A REPLY-TO SETTING?

This option has several potential uses.  For examples: 

1. You might want replies sent to a different address from your "real" address
(e.g. a hotmail box, or your office account).  Yet you do want the receiving
party to see your real address so they don't reject your messages.

2. You might use the reply-to address to help you filter your mail.  You might
create a number of slightly different "Profiles" each of which uses a
variation in the Reply-To: line.  Something like the following:

    "John Doe Smith" 
       "J. D. Smith" 
               "JDS" 

One profile when writing from your home computer, another when using your
office computer, yet another when sending email from your laptop.  Adopting a
consistent pattern would allow you and/or your regular correspondents to
easily recognize from where the original message was sent.  This can be useful
in keeping your mail more organized.

3. You might have several people using the same computer sharing the same
email account.  You could create different profile settings for each user, all
with the same email address, but with slightly different Reply-To addresses. 
Most good email programs (e.g. Netscape) allow you to setup user profiles for
different users sharing the program.  Then, when replies are received, they
can easily be filtered into folders allowing each person sharing the computer
to keep their email organized and separated from the other users.

         "Lucy Smith, Mom" 
    "Cornelius Smith, Dad" 
  "Pantha Smith, Daughter" 

4. If a forum has the Reply-To configured for the forum you might choose to
leave your Reply-To line empty to minimize direct replies to your email
inbox.  Since you get replies that go to the forum anyway, this might be
useful if you want to maximize filtering (i.e. automatic sorting) of your
incoming messages into separate folders.

5. Perhaps you want to post some general information for the Forum.  But, you
might not want to open yourself up to getting LOTS of questions directed
personally at you in response to the general postings.  By leaving the
Reply-To setting blank, these questions would go to the forum and you would
not feel as obligated to personally reply to each inquiry.

There are advantages and disadvantages of having the Reply-To default set to
the list.  

- Experienced and educated users can learn how to use this to their benefit.  

- The user has to pay more attention to what they are doing.  Sending a reply
requires a little more thought.

- New subscribers may make a few mistakes before they figure it out.  

- The occasional experienced user will goof and reply to the Forum rather than
the individual unintentionally. 

- The purpose of the Forum is to share information.  When most replies are
sent privately rather than to the Forum, less sharing is accomplished.  When
most are sent to the Forum, more sharing takes place.

- Some "sharing" may be of little interest.

- Some "sharing" may be of great interest.

As always, your comments on Forum Policy and Management should be sent
directly to the Forum Manager, not to the Forum.  We now return you to your
regularly scheduled program.

Steven J. Coker, Forum Manager
http://members.tripod.com/~SCROOTS
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Park/8848
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/9480

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