Recent postings have complained about the high volume of email received from TechNet. I believe that the frequency of messages on TechNet is an indication of its success. It provokes lively, and sometimes emotional dialogue on "mass media" topics such as solder masks, CAF, and platings for PWBs--a real need is being addressed by the existence of TechNet. IPC has provided a forum for near real-time queries and response, on topics not always addressed in trade publications, conference proceedings, of reference texts. I'd like to recommend 2 strategies for reducing the frustration of dealing with many email postings: 1) Set up a mail management routine to store TechNet postings for review at a later time. I tried this a few days ago, and now have it working, using our email software, Lotus cc:Mail. It utilizes a cc:Mail feature called "RULES", using settings I defined, as follows: Rule Description: file messages from IPC TechNet When to run: On receiving new message in Inbox With Conditions: Send date is after "3/31/96" AND Send date is before "5/1/96" AND Author contains "[log in to unmask]" Actions Flash window Alert "IPC posting received" Beep Move to Folder "ipc-apr" Thus, when I have the time, I open a folder named "ipc-apr" to look at the newly received messages. Obviously, the quantity of messages received is not reduced, though my Inbox is relieved of the usual clutter. 2.) Another option, less preferable in my opinion, is to Unsubscribe and search TechNet archives on the Web. This greatly reduces a person's exposure to TechNet dialogue, and almost certainly eliminates the chance that a person will submit a response for posting on the TechNet. The technical community and the observer are virtually invisible to each other, a loss for both sides. In closing, I encourage subscribers to employ whatever it takes to stay subscribed, if they value much of what is posted, and they can find the added time to read/discard postings. I'd also like to see other suggestions on mail management. Regards, Michael S. Alderete Sr. R & D Engineer Loral, Aeronutronic Division 29947 Avenida De Las Banderas Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 (714)459-3190FAX email: [log in to unmask]