Erik Hatcher wrote:
> I was alerted about me being mentioned on ruby-talk, as I was not 
> subscribed.  I'm now here!

This interests me, because I've suspected there must be a tool
like this in existence. Too many times I have noticed someone
pop out of nowhere to respond to a reference to his name being
mentioned. (Three I can think of are A****r M****r, P*****k
L***n, and most recently B****e S********p.  :)

Rather like accidentally mentioning a demon's name and thereby
summoning him. But most supernatural entities have to have
their names mentioned thrice in succession, whereas on Usenet,
once is enough.

What's the scoop on how this alert works, anyway?

Hal