Membership is, of course, free, and by joining, you may reap the benefits of a roundtable much like alt.tv.simpsons, but free of the trollers and other riff-raffs who often spoil the mood for everyone else. With over a thousand members, Simpsons-L is the largest Simpsons discussion list in existence.

Mailing lists work much like public newsgroups in that each post you submit is propagated to other readers automatically. The difference is that while public forums utilize subsets of the internet, such as usenet or the world wide web, mailing lists, as the name implies, propagate messages via e-mail.

Upon joining Simpsons-L, other subscribers' messages will be delivered to your mailbox in order of posting, as separate e-mails. Alternatively, those who would rather not receive numerous messages per day may enable digest mode. Digest mode compiles each post submitted to the mailing list over a 24-hour period into a single e-mail, which you receive at the end of the day.

Helpful Tips for Simpsons-L

The Simpsons-L mailing list has been in operation since late 1996. Please keep in mind that there are many topics and threads which tend to resurge endlessly. Starting discussions such as "Where is Springfield," "Is Smithers Gay" or "Only Conan O'Brien Can Save The Show" will often make other subscribers groan. But don't be completely discouraged! Especially if you have new ideas.

Beginners are encouraged to read the Simpsons-L FAQ, providing helpful information about the mailing list. Also, be sure to read the Simpsons-L Posting Guidelines. This explains a few netiquette-esque ground rules of conduct on the mailing list. Nothing too stern: just common sense.

THE BASICS

How to Subscribe

To join Simpsons-L, fill in the subscription form in the web interface. You will then automatically receive further instructions about confirming your pending subscription. Please be patient, this may take a few hours.

How to Post

To post on Simpsons-L, simply compose your message or reply as an ordinary e-mail and address it to simpsons-l@reactor.snpp.com. Note that you must first subscribe to the list in order to post.

Members can log into the list archives to view old messages.

How to Unsubscribe

Go to the web interface and enter your subscription address in the "Unsubscribe or edit options" web form at the bottom of the page. Follow the instructions you'll get on the next page.

Or, send an e-mail to simpsons-l-request@reactor.snpp.com and type unsubscribe in the "Subject" field. You will receive a confirmation e-mail within a few hours.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

You may configure your account by logging in our web interface. Enter your subscription address in the "Unsubscribe or edit options" field.

Options can also be changed by using simple e-mail commands. For a list of commands available, send a blank message to simpsons-l-request@reactor.snpp.com with the word help in the "Subject" field. Send all your other e-mail commands to that same address.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Have fun! Be considerate of your fellow listers and please remember that there are youngsters on Simpsons-L. If you have any questions about the mailing list, please contact Trissa, Kushibo and Jouni at moderators@snpp.com.

MEMBER PAGE

Mike Nuss maintains the Simpsons-L Member Page with photos and other information on list members.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE LISTS

While Simpsons-L serves as a global mailing list for English-speakers of all nationalities, there are some external Simpsons mailing lists for those who prefer talking to people from their own country, in their own language. The following lists are not maintained by The Simpsons Archive.

• Finland (Finnish)