I don't think Jeremy's absence has much to do with the more casual tone of the group just now. It's August, most of us are on vacation to some degree from work, study, teaching, being taught. I guarantee that he never screened out anything that would have contributed to conversation. Read the monthly guidelines that he sends out, and you will know what is screened. Stephen Brophy Cambridge, Mass. ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]