PC go! 1996 January/Image.iso/pcgo/extra2/faq/mailst.txt

Text File | 1994-07-11 | 4.1 KB | 71 lines

What is a mailing list?

A mailing list and a newsgroup are similar in concept, but differ in
execution.  A newsgroup is "public" in that it may be read by anyone
that subscribes to it and just about anyone may post to a newsgroup,
whether they read it or not.

Messages on a mailing list are sent out only to a set group of people,
and are distributed solely by email.  The only users that may read or
post to a mailing list are those who are added to its membership by the
list maintainer.

Mailing lists may be moderated or unmoderated.  If a list is unmoderated,
anyone may join, and any member of the list may post.  A list that is
moderated has a more controlled atmosphere, and you may not be allowed to
join and/or post to the list unless approved by the moderator.

Mailing lists may be managed two different ways.  They may be managed by
hand (by a person), or they may be managed by a program called a mailing
list manager.  There are three different types of mailing list managers in
common usage -- listserv, majordomo and listproc.

The default is *always* to assume the list is being managed by a person.
Many list owners grow annoyed when they receive listserver-type commands.
To subscribe to a list managed personally, a short note sent to the request
address is sufficient.  "Please add me to the Shrinking Violets Mailing List.
My address is [e-mail].  Thank you."  It is important to
name the list as many list maintainers run more than one list.  In other
words, don't send a message merely saying, "Please add me to your list."

To subscribe to a list managed by a mailing list manager, send a command to
the list manager address.  This address will be either "[e-mail],"
"[e-mail]," or "[e-mail]".   The subject line is ignored,
and the command is generally in this form: "subscribe <listname> <your_name>"
where <your_name> is your first name and last name, not your net address.  Put
this command as a single line in the body of the message.  It's appreciated if
you give your real name, and not a handle or an alias.  These programs will
also accept other commands such as "help" or "info."  Consult the individual
list description file for additional information.

When in doubt, send to the request address.  All mailing lists are supposed
to have a request address in the form, "[e-mail]."
Although this is a standard, not all list managers follow it.  Even still, it
should work 99% of the time.  Sending a query to the request address of a list
manager program will usually get you a short text file telling you how to
subscribe, plus how to get in touch with the list owner.  Mail sent to the
request address of a list managed by a person will be routed to that person.

Proper terminology is important here.  The proper term is "mailing list."
A common mistake people make is to refer to all mailing lists as "listservs."
While all listservs are mailing lists, not all mailing lists are listservs.
Listservs are very common on Bitnet, another network gatewayed into the
Internet.  You may run across a huge file of Bitnet Listservs.  The reason
listservs proliferate on Bitnet is because they don't have Usenet newsgroups
and use mailing lists for the same purposes.  Topics for Bitnet listservs
are varied and fascinating, and definitely worth checking into.

Avoid the biggest mistake that one can make with mailing lists, which is to
send an administrative message to the the posting address and not the request
address.  Doing this sends your request to the entire list.  Not only is it
annoying to the list membership, but quite often the list manager doesn't
participate actively in the list and won't even see a misdirected request.
It's best to keep a file of how to subscribe/unsubscribe to your mailing lists
handy, but if you always remember to send to the request address, you should
be able to keep from making this mistake.


This file was written by Stephanie da Silva ([e-mail],
[e-mail]).  Free distribution of the text in unaltered form
is heartily encouraged.