Surely responses to general queries should be regarded as signal and not
noise.  Personal mail that is misdirected to the list may well be noise,
but can still be enlightening, and is bearably infrequent.
Many replies to initial queries provoke further questions from interested
bystanders, as well as better answers.
I could have sent this just to Danny but thought I'd share it with the
rest of you.
 
Ray
 
On Thu, 25 Jan 1996, Bluestein, Danny wrote:
 
> To all recipients of the Confocal list:
>   Although I am new to this list, I feel obliged to send this message to
> all recipients of the list. When somebody sends an inquiry to multiple
> recipients it makes sense to do so, but when you reply to such an
> inquiry, DO NOT USE THE REPLY FUNCTION of your e-mail software. Doing so
> results in the multiple recipients of the list constantly receiving piles
> of mail messages they are not interested in receiving, decreasing the
> signal/noise ratio of this discussion group to unbearable levels.
> Please be advised to answer the individual inquiry directly to this
> individual's e-mail (yes, you'll have to copy his e-mail address and
> write to the individual personally).
> Thanks in advance for your cooperation,
>    Dr. Danny Bluestein
>