Hello everyone, I have finally done what I said I would do a few years ago, and started up an email list, at yahoogroups, centered around Beck modules. (If A is an algebra in a variety V, then the category of Beck modules over A [and in V] is the category of abelian group objects in the comma category (V,A). At least, that is how category theorists define it. I have some other ideas about it that lead to an equivalent category.) There was some interest in such a list at the time, I think it was around 9 or 10 years ago. I have found managing my univalg list (for universal algebra) to be easy enough that I want to start this list also. The univalg list includes mostly universal algebraists, not all of whom are interested in things with a category-theoretic flavor. I am, however, inviting the members of that list to join this new one. To subscribe, send an email to beckmodules-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. I have set it up so that I have to approve any subscriptions, in order to avoid certain spammers who seem to have automated the process of subscribing. Your email address will be visible only to other members of the list. For the greatest access to the features of the group, you can get a yahoo id by going to http://groups.yahoo.com and registering. Or, if you have a yahoo id already, you can easily join the beckmodules group. The service is free, being supported by advertising which is tolerably nonintrusive. Possible topics for posts include the controversy about how best to define Beck modules, cohomology theories (such as Jon Beck explored in his thesis), the related theory of enveloping ringoids (which I introduced in my thesis), connections with universal algebra and commutator theory (invented by JDH Smith) and lots of other ideas that I probably never heard of but am looking forward to hearing about. Best regards, Bill Rowan 29-Dec-2002 17:03:56 -0400,4542;000000000001-00000000