Feeling a bit sad at the decline in the vanagon mailing list.  last time I
tried I could not query the server about how many subscribers there are.  I
remember when it was about 1500 and there was so much traffic I only read
threads I was directly interested in.

I go way back in online communities to before the internet was available to
the public.  I have no problem with using a listserv and prefer it to
anything like a msg board or social network group.  I can see why new
people would find it daunting to use this list though.  The email only
configuration interface is very different for people who are only familiar
with pointing and clicking.  "I need to do what to
subscribe/unsubscribe/change my settings???"  I want to read old messages
about replacing my poptop seals.  uhhhh, "Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!"  Here's a pic
of my instrument cluster repair.  What? I can't attach a photo?

I recommend migrating the Vanagon list to a modern platform such as a
google group.  I did this recently for an email list that I have admin'd
for about 20 years and it was pretty painless.  It has all the controls and
features I had on the previous platform, and more.  This could revitalize
the list by attracting new members who now look at the instructions for
subscribing, scratch their heads and click away.  I think the Vanagon list
is an asset to the community worth saving.  It seems to be on a course to
dwindle away to nothing like other lists I've been on over the years.

Edward