In the past I’ve written to people individually about this issue but as it keeps reoccurring I think everyone needs a reminder. Private messages should not be addressed to the forum, folder or group but to the individual for whom it’s intended. A typical exchange follows: To: News Re: A big hello from the Trucial States. From:   Sheik Abdul el Jamaar AAC Clinic Hi everyone! We’re finally on line from the Trucial States here in the Gulf. We’re just getting with AAC here and look forward to interchanges with our colleagues in Toronto. Regards, Fatima To: News Re: (1) A big hello from the Trucial States. From: Technology and Talk Say are you Fatima Cohen who was at Havergal in 1986? Jenine To: News Re: (2)A big hello from the Trucial States. From:   Sheik Abdul el Jamaar AAC Clinic Yep it’s me and don’t tell me you’re the Jenine White-Foresmith who was in Miss. Catley’s chemistry class. Remember the stink bomb we set off, we cleared the whole lab building! To: News Re: (3)A big hello from the Trucial States. From:   Technology and Talk Nice to hear from you again. Interesting How we both wound up in the same field. I’m still in touch with most of the old gang, I’ll give them your regards. To: News Re: (4)A big hello from the Trucial States. From:   Sheik Abdul el Jamaar AAC Clinic Great! Will you be at ISAAC (the name gives me some problems here in the Gulf. Imagine trying to get PD money to attend ISAAC in ‘96. ) To: News Re: (5)A big hello from the Trucial States. From:   Technology and Talk We’ll be there. See you then. And there’s the rest of us reading this interchange. I know it’s easier to REPLY than to readdress the letter. But a few seconds spent saves everyone else’s time and money. So as a courtesy to your colleagues, address replies which have absolutely no relevance to anyone else in the world, to the sender and not to the group. Of course if it’s a discussion you want on a topic, that's a diferent story. Thanks.