Using Electronic Mailing Lists to Gather Helpful Information
What is an electronic mailing list?
An electronic mailing list is analogous to the more familiar mailing lists
in that someone maintains a list of names and the same mail goes to everyone
on the list. The difference is that the list and the mailing are maintained
on a computer connected to the Internet, called a file server. In addition,
electronic mailing lists have other functions than just the distribution
of mail. There are at least three major competitors for elelectronic mailing
list software. LISTSERV was the first, majordomo and listproc
came later.
How can I find useful LISTSERVs for educators?
To get a list of all listservs, compose a message to listserv@bitnic.educom.edu
In the text area type list global (It's a big list!) To narrow down
the search, specify a subject, for example, list global/chemistry
How does one subscribe to a listserv electronic mailing list?
To subscribe to a listserv list, send mail with no subject to
LISTSERV@SERVERADDRESS
with the following message in the body of the message
SUB LISTNAME FirstName LastName
For example, to subscribe to the list
CSRNOT-L@UIUCVMD.BITNET
I would send mail with no subject to
LISTSERV@UIUCVMD.BITNET
with the message
SUB CSRNOT-L JIM ANDRIS
To unsubscribe send the message
UNSUB LISTNAME
Finally, when you receive your subscription, it is very important that
you copy the longer message with instructions under the name sublistname
(a different name for each list) to your personal directory so that you
will remember what lists you are subscribed to and be able to unsubscribe
when you are through.
How does one subscribe to a majordomo electronic mailing list?
To subscribe to a majordomo list, send mail with no subject to
majordomo@serveradress
with the following message in the body of the message
subscribe listname your email address
For example, to subscribe to the (imaginary) majordomo list
grass@pasture.com
I would send mail with no subject to
majordomo@pasture.com
with the message
subscribe grass jandris@siue.edu
To unsubscribe send the message
unsubscribe listname
What is a LISTSERV?
LISTSERV is a computer program (or a computer with such a program) which
allows people to connect to a computer which offers several services. According
to the helpful LISTSERV
User Guide, LISTSERV can be broadly categorized into four functional
areas. These are the
-
mailing list function, which is to operate mailing lists (also referred
to as distribution lists).Mailing lists are used to distribute the e-mail
sent to them to a list a recipients. They provide the means for a group
of users to establish an e-mail forum on any topic or area of common interest,
-
the fileserver function, by which files can be stored at a LISTSERV server
and made available for retrieval by users upon their request,
-
the database function, through which LISTSERV provides the facility for
users to retrieve old mail that has been distributed on mailinglists. Each
mailing list has an associated database (called a notebook or list archive
database) inwhich list mail is stored. Note that databases may not be maintained
for every mailing list, this is done at the discretion of a list owner,
and
-
the informational function, which includes help files, release levels of
the server and important configuration files, statistics and information
pertaining to the EARN/BITNET network. When sending these commands to LISTSERV,
they must be addressed to the server and not to any mailing lists it may
manage.
Please note that all the commands used in manipulating LISTSERVs are contained
in the above documents.
Through LISTSERV, you may meet interesting people, find information
or answers to questions, and start up individual e-mail conversations.
Since LISTSERVs are organized by interest, there is a good chance of this.
Here is an excellent on-line FAQ (frequently asked questions) file on
majordomo
type lists.
Revised by Jim Andris, July 7, 1997.