Okay. The list is stable at the moment, and hopefully it'll remain so.
But, should it go on the fritz again, or if you think something's wrong
with just you, here's a quick troubleshooting guide and answer to your
questions.

1. "Is the list just quiet, or is something wrong?" This is what is
commonly known as a Bloody Stupid Question. The FFML is never quiet. If
you are not getting mail from it, something is wrong. Therefore, you
sending a test message is, quite frankly, pointless and asinine.

2. "I think I've been unsubbed!" The list normally tells you when it
unsubs you, along with the reason. If you don't get this message, but the
mail stops coming, it's probably a list-wide problem. Here are the steps
you should take to check, in order.

A) Try resubbing. If computer error kicked you, this should fix it. If
nothing happens, the list is probably down.
B) Send a private email to your friends. Ask them if the ML is down for
them too. If they say yes, then it's a listwide problem. If they say no,
then go to step C.
C) Send a mail to either WW or myself, describing the problem and what
steps you've taken in order to fix it. If sent to me, the result will be
   1. I give you an answer
or
   2. I don't respond over a period of a day and a half

  If 2 is the case, then my mail is down, and that's probably what's
wrong with the ML.
  WW, due to time constraints, may take a while to answer his mail.
However, if you know for certain that you're the only one who's having
trouble, he's the one to speak with.
   DO NOT send a message to the list asking what's wrong, or if you're the
only one. The rest of the list _doesn't_know_, and by piling yet more mail
on a overburdened server you merely compound the problem.

3. "Is there a tempffml or something?" Don't post these to the list
either. Ask either myself or Kergma, who's the maintainer of the tempffml.

4. "How do you use/work/etc this aspect of the list?" Direct these to
either WW or myself. But before you do, READ THE DAMN FAQ. If you ask us
about something that's clearly stated in the faq, we won't be thrilled.
We'd be a lot less thrilled if you posted it to the list, though.

Easy, ne?

A note on finding either people or fics - RAAC often has the material you
seek in their archive. If the person ever posts on usenet (likely), then a
dejanews search for their name will often turn up one of their posts,
which will contain their address. Save posting to the list as an xtreme
last resort.

One of the things to consider before you post is this: am I aiming this at
everyone on the list, or just one or two people? Will anyone but me and my
target find this at all interesting? Some spam is necessary for the list,
but it should be _interesting_ spam. Think before you post, and post in
moderation.

- Tybalt, FFML Moderator
"It fits, when such a villain is a guest:
I'll not endure him."