Gerbil Mailing List
Frequently Asked Questions
V2.1 - 12 July 2003
1. Introduction
1.1 Preamble
1.2 What is the Gerbil Mailing List?
1.3 Why should I join the mailing list?
1.4 Who runs the mailing list?
1.5 Are there any rules?
1.6 How many mails can I expect?
2. Using the List
2.1 How to I send commands to the list?
2.2 How do I join the mailing list?
2.3 I find there are too many messages, what can I do?
2.4 How do I get the digest form of the list?
2.5 How do I stop getting the digest form of the list?
2.6 How do I find out how many people are subscribed to the list?
2.7 How do I leave the list?
2.8 How do I check I am still subscribed?
2.9 How do I send a message to the list?
2.10 How do I test I can send messages to the list?
2.11 I am going away on holiday, how can I make sure my mailbox is not full up when I get back?
2.12 How do I get more instructions on using this list?
2.13 How do I get to see old posts to the list?
3. Miscellaneous
3.1 What are the strange abbreviations people use?
3.2 What are the strange hieroglyphics people use?
3.3 Are there other mailing lists for people who speak languages other then English?
1. Introduction
The FAQ has been created and is maintained by .
If you have any comments or suggestions, please let him know.
1.2 What is the Gerbil Mailing List
The Gerbil Mailing list is an automated system for sharing e-mails with other people who want to talk about gerbils.
1.3 Why should I join the mailing list?
Because you want to talk about gerbils, jirds or duprasi.
A group of subscribers run the list based on the wishes of the majority of the members.
Yes. There is a charter that sets out acceptable behaviour.
1.6 How many mails can I expect?
About 5-25 a day. But there may be more or less.
2. Using the List
2.1 How do I send commands to the list?
The best way of controlling your options is to visit the Topica.com website. If you sign up, you will not get any spam etc, the only advertising is on the Topica Website. Signing up allows you to choose how you wish to receive your messages and many other things.
2.2 How do I join the mailing list?
E-mail to
2.3 I find there are too many messages, what can I do?
Set your options so you get the digest version of the list.
2.4 How do I get the digest form of the list?
Go to the My Topica area of the website and choose the option from the drop down list at the right.
2.5 How do I stop getting the digest form of the list?
Go to the My Topica area of the website and choose the option from the drop down list at the right.
2.6 How do I find out how many people are subscribed to the list?
Go to the My Topica area of the website and click on the list name on the left. Then click on "List info"
Every message has an unsubscribe link at the bottom. You can also send a message to
2.8 How do I check I am still subscribed?
Go to the My Topica area of the website. You will see the Gerbil List listed if you are subscribed.
2.9 How do I send a message to the list?
Post to . Only people who have subscribed can post messages to the list.
2.10 How do I test I can send messages to the list?
You don't need to test this. Anyone who is subscribed can send messages to the list.
2.11 I am going away on holiday, how can I make sure my mailbox is not full up when I get back?
Go to the My Topica area of the website. Set the option in the drop down list on the right to "Web Only - No Email".
On your return, change the setting beck to "Messages"
NB - You can always read the list from the Topica website (http://www.topica.com/lists/gerbils/read) whatever your options. When you are away from your computer for any reason, you can still read and post to the GML through the Topica website.
2.12 How do I get more instructions on using this list?
Visit www.topica.com for instructions.
2.13 How do I get to read old posts to the list?
There is a searchable Mail-Archive of posts to the old version of the list (pre- June 2002).
All posts to the new List, since January 2002 are available on the Topica website.
3. Miscellaneous
3.1 What are the strange abbreviations people use?
The strange abbreviations relate to colours with long names. Here are the most common used ones:
PEW - Pink-Eyed White
REW - Red-Eyed White
BEW - Black-Eyed White
DTW - Dark-Tailed White
RESN - Red-Eyed Silver Nutmeg
DEH - Dark-Eyed Honey
REH - Red-Eyed Honey
CPA - Colour Point (Golden) Agouti
CPGA - Colour Point Grey Agouti
LCPA - Light Colour Point (Golden) Agouti
LCPGA - Light Colour Point Grey Agouti
(NB CP and LCP may be used with other colours, for example CP Slate)
3.2 What are the strange hieroglyphics people use?
Expressions like aaC-eeggP- relate to the coat colour genetics. (This example is a Silver Nutmeg).
For more information on the genes and how they operate go to the Gerbil Genetics Page.
For more information on how to use gerbil genetic information go to the Applied Coat Colour Genetics Page.
3.3 Are there other mailing lists for people who speak languages other than English?
I hope to have more information on this later.
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