The thing that I didn't understand when I first posted here -- and that some
who hang out here might not understand either -- is how very differently
newsgroup etiquette can be defined from group to group. I have spent most
of my newsgroup time (off and on for more than 10 years) in groups where
mysterious subject lines are commonplace and not frowned upon at all.
Obviously, I posted my question here because I thought it the best place to
find people who might know the answer.

Perhaps one reason this group is a slug is the way innocently misstepping
newcomers are treated.

Happy paddling, folks...

Ms. V