Also when the list goes down, it is NOT necessary to sent all of
these "just testing" messages to the list - remember that we each
get these.

What you CAN do is to send a message to
listserve@gerry.vanagon.com (no subject) and Query Vanagon  in
the message space  to "Query" your subscription options for the
vanagon list (or just HELP).    If you do not hear back, then the list
is down and when the list comes back up, you get your response
to the "query" message and 1,000 "just testing" messages are not
generated, and the archives are spared.  Malcolm S