Contents
1. Basic Concepts
1.1 What is LISTSERV?
1.2 What is an Electronic Mailing List?
1.3 How do electronic mailing lists work?
1.4 What happened to our distribution lists?
1.5 Who will maintain the new electronic mailing lists?
1.6 How often will these lists be updated?
1.7 How do I know what lists exist?
2. Basic Usage
2.1 Appropriate use policies
2.2 Social conventions
2.3 Messages vs. commands
2.4 How to send a message to a list
2.5 How to send a command to LISTSERV
3. List Commmand Usage
3.1 Subscription commands
3.1.1 Subscribing to a list
3.1.2 Signing off a list
3.1.3 Setting subscription options
3.2 Other list-related commands
3.2.1 Retrieving a list of lists
3.2.2 Querying a list
3.2.3 Reviewing information about a list
3.2.4 Scanning a list's membership
3.3 Informational commands
3.3.1 Getting help for list commands
3.3.2 Ordering LISTSERV manuals
Appendix A: List Command Reference
LISTSERV Command Syntax Conventions
Generally, parameters used in this primer consist of one to eight characters from the following set:
Deviations from this include:
| full_name | first_name [middle_initial] surname (not your e-mail address) |
| listname | name of an existing list |
Other deviations from the standard set will be noted along with the affected commands.
Also, please note the following conventions for representing variable or optional parameters:
| italic type | Always indicates required parameter names that must be replaced by appropriate data when sending commands to LISTSERV. |
| < > | Angle brackets may sometimes enclose required parameter names that must be replaced by appropriate data when sending commands to LISTSERV. Sometimes used for clarity when italic type is inappropriate. The brackets would not be typed; they are used to set apart the information. |
| [ ] | Square brackets enclose optional parameters that, if used, must be replaced by appropriate data when sending commands to LISTSERV. The brackets would not be typed; they are used to set apart the information. |
LISTSERV® is a system that allows a user to create, manage, and control electronic mailing lists on a corporate network or on the Internet. The system, consisting of software maintained by West Virginia University, is available to anyone within the WVU system.
1.2 What is an Electronic Mailing List?
An electronic mailing list is much like the distribution lists we currently use with our proprietary e-mail system (extension e-mail). When we send a message to a certain group of people, we send that message to a distribution list. The extension e-mail distribution program then sends a copy of that message to each person within the specified distribution list. The mail server software operating an electronic mailing list performs the same function. However, the electronic mailing list sends the message directly to our Internet e-mail accounts. Our proprietary e-mail system does not have this capability. Mail server software also gives us such capabilities as:
We also have the capability, with electronic mailing lists, to provide individuals or groups outside the university access to our lists if it is desirable to do so. This allows us to create electronic mailing lists that we can share with other Extension Services throughout the country or around the globe. You can begin to see that communications has relatively no boundaries with electronic mailing lists.
1.3 How do electronic mailing lists work?
Electronic mailing lists are similar to distribution lists. Often they are the same. This depends greatly on how they are used. Electronic mailing lists are simple to understand. An electronic mailing list is created and stored on a computer that runs the LISTSERV® or other mail server software. Again, this software allows a user to create, manage, and control electronic mailing lists. Each list has an owner who is responsible for managing the list. Once a list is created, the owner can subscribe users to a list or allow users to subscribe themselves to a list. The owner also can specify that only subscribed users can send messages to a list or that anyone can send messages to a list. The owner can also unsubscribe (sign off) users from a list or allow users to unsubscribe (sign themselves off) from a list. The owner is responsible for many other settings. Some of these settings may be set by the user for individual configurations. These special settings, and their usage syntax, will be explained in greater detail in the following sections.
1.4 What happened to our distribution lists?
The distribution lists that currently exist in extension e-mail have been examined to decide if they should be centrally managed. The lists chosen have been updated and converted to electronic mailing lists. These electronic mailing lists are incorporated in the new directory. Any specialized distribution list that was not converted to an electronic mailing list format is not listed in the directory. If a user had a specialized distribution list with extension e-mail that was not converted, that user will be responsible for creating and managing the desired electronic mailing list. Instructions for creating and managing these lists can be obtained through the Technology Office. This is very important since extension's lists follow a strict naming convention.
1.5 Who will maintain the new electronic mailing lists?
Each electronic mailing list can have multiple owners. The primary owner for the centrally managed lists will be an Technology staff member. The secondary owner will be the person who maintains the current list of recipients for that particular list. When there are multiple owners for any given list, each owner can subscribe or sign off users from the list. Any list that is not centrally managed, a special interest list for example, will be the responsibility of the person creating the list.
1.6 How often will these lists be updated?
The electronic mailing lists will be updated when there is a change in employment, an intra-departmental move, or a request is received. A new process is being designed so that any change in employment will be directly reported to the list owner for an immediate update. When a new employee joins extension, an e-mail address must be established before that person is added to any list. Since these lists are centrally managed, there will be no need to send updates to each computer as we have in the past (i.e., this eliminates the sending and downloading of MDF.DAT).
1.7 How do I know what lists exist?
A list of electronic mailing lists is maintained on our Intranet. A list is also included in the Extension Directory. A complete list of all electronic mailing lists is maintained by the LISTSERV® software. This list can be sent to you via e-mail by sending the appropriate command to LISTSERV®. This process will be explained in greater detail in the following sections.
Appropriate use policies set forth by West Virginia University are available on the West Virginia University World Wide Web site. Appropriate use policies related to listservs may be viewed at the following URLs:
Listserv Policy http://oit.wvu.edu/oit/policy/oit-2.htm
Electronic Mail Policy
http://oit.wvu.edu/oit/policy/oit-11.htm
Anti-Spam, Anti-Virus Policy http://oit.wvu.edu/oit/policy/oit-3.htm
Social Internet conventions, also known as netiquette, should be followed in conjunction with the aforementioned appropriate use policies. Part of the culture of the network is based on the fact that users can put forward any face they care to. However, various sets of rules that attempt to govern conduct have evolved. The following general pointers should be accepted by all users. 1 List Owner's Manual for LISTSERV, version 1.8b, L-Soft International, Inc. Copyright© May 23, 1996, Revision 3, pp. 41-42..
Recognize and Accept Cultural and Linguistic Differences
The Internet is international, and while English is generally accepted as the common language of the network, list owners and list subscribers cannot afford to take the position that everyone on the Internet understands English well. In a medium that is invariably connected to language, special understanding is required to deal with questions or statements from people for whom English is not the primary tongue. Often today (at least in the US) a person's first sustained interaction with others on an international basis is via the Internet. It is imperative that this interaction be on the highest level of cordiality and respect from the outset in order for all concerned to benefit.
Additionally, care should be taken when using local idiom and slang. A common word phrase used by Americans in everyday speech, for instance, might be taken as profanity or insult by those in other English-speaking countries, and may not be understood at all by non-native speakers of English. When a list has a high international readership, it is probably best to avoid non standard English so as to provide the clearest and least-objectionable exchange of ideas.
Private Mail Should Dictate Private Responses
If someone on a mailing list has sent a private message to you (i.e., not to the list at large) and you have lost that person's address but want to respond, do not post private mail to the list. The REVIEW command will give you a copy of the list membership that you can search for the person's address. If this approach does not work, contact the local postmaster or the list owner for help.
Flaming is (Usually) Inappropriate
Flames (insults) belong in private mail, if they belong in mail at all. Discussions will often result in disagreements. Rebuttals to another person's opinions or beliefs should always be made in a rational, logical and mature manner, whether they are made publicly or privately. What is a flame can range from the obvious (ranting and raving, abusive comments, etc.) to the not-so-obvious (comments about how many "newbies" seem to be on the list these days).
Foul Language
Subscribers should refrain from abusive or derogatory language that might be considered questionable by even the most liberal and open-minded of networkers. If you wouldn't say it in front of your mother, don't say it in electronic mail.
Unsolicited Advertising and Chain Letters
Most of these are contrary to appropriate use policies governing the use of the poster's Internet access provider. Not only that, they are annoying and (in the case of chain letters) often illegal.
Understanding the difference between a message and a command is very important. Fortunately, it is not complicated. A message is simply an e-mail message that a user composes to be sent to an electronic mailing list or an individual. A command is a specialized message sent directly to the mail server address (LISTSERV@listserv.wvu.edu), which yields a response depending upon what command was sent. The next two sections describe in detail how to perform both functions.
2.4 How to send a message to a list
Each list has its own e-mail address. To send a message to all the people currently subscribed to a particular list, just send an e-mail message to listname@listserv.wvu.edu (remember to insert the exact name of the list in place of listname. See "LISTSERV Command Syntax Conventions" in the Preface). This is called "sending mail to the list," because a user sends mail to a single address and LISTSERV forwards a copy to all the people who are subscribed. This address is also called the "list address." For example, we have an electronic mailing list named ESALL-L to which all employees are subscribed. ESALL-L is the "list name." To send a message to the list, send it to the list address: ESALL-L@listserv.wvu.edu
Each list will have the same node address. The node address is the address of the computer on which the list resides. The node address for our lists is: listserv.wvu.edu
Notice that the node address for the lists differs from the node address of your e-mail address which is: mail.wvu.edu
If a user tries to send mail to a list using the wrong node address, the mail will be rejected. Also, a user must never try to send any command to the list address, as it would be distributed to all the people who are subscribed. This will be very embarrassing to the sender.
2.5 How to send a command to LISTSERV
All commands must be sent to the LISTSERV
address: LISTSERV@listserv.wvu.edu
As stated in section 2.3, a command is a
specialized message sent directly to the
LISTSERV address, which yields a response
depending upon what command was sent. Such
responses may include a listing of all users
currently subscribed to a list or the current
subscription settings for a particular list.
Commands may also be used to subscribe to
lists or sign off lists. When sending commands
to LISTSERV, follow these guidelines very
strictly:
The list commands, their usage syntax, and the results of the commands will be explained in greater detail in the following sections.
Commands are listed in alphabetical order, with the minimum acceptable abbreviation in capital letters. Square brackets are used to indicate optional parameters. The following command lines would be sent to: LISTSERV@listserv.wvu.edu
Subscription commands are used to subscribe to a list, sign off a list, or to change the subscription options for a particular list. For administrative lists, such as the ESALL-L list, subscribing and signing off will be prohibited. The list owner will be responsible for these actions.
Subscribing to a list will add the user to the list he or she requests. To subscribe to a list, send the command:
SUBSCRIBE listname full_name
Example:
SUBSCRIBE ESHELP-L Michael Sullenberger
A reply will be sent to the user stating that he or she has been added to the list.
Signing off will remove the user from the list which he or she is requesting to be unsubscribed. To sign off a list, send the command:
SIGNOFF listname
Example:
SIGNOFF ESHELP-L
A reply will be sent to the user stating that he or she has been removed from the list.
3.1.3 Setting subscription options
Setting subscription options changes how a user sends or receives mail. Although there are many options, only two will be discussed in this document. They are as follows:
ACK/NOACK
These command words control the level of acknowledgment the subscriber receives when sending mail to a list. ACK causes LISTSERV to send a short confirmation message to the subscriber when the mail has been received and distributed. NOACK disables the confirmation feature for the subscriber. The default setting for our lists is NOACK.
REPro/NOREPro
This option controls whether the subscriber will get a copy of his or her own mailings back from the list after they are processed. Generally, if a subscriber's mail program is configured to file copies of the subscriber's outgoing mail (Eudora Pro does this for us), or if the subscriber has the acknowledgment option (ACK) enabled, this option should be set to NOREPro. The default setting for our lists is NOREPro.
To set subscription options, send the command:
SET listname options
Example:
SET ESHELP-L ACK
A reply will be sent to the user stating that this option has been set.
3.2 Other list-related commands
Other list-related commands are used to retrieve information about lists. These commands are very helpful and should be used whenever the need arises. Usually, when sending these types of commands, the user will receive two replies. One will be an "output of your job" which will contain the original command the user sent along with a message stating that the requested information is being sent. The second reply will be the actual result of the command.
3.2.1 Retrieving a list of lists
Retrieving a list of lists will send the user a complete listing of all the lists currently in use on the LISTSERV machine. This would include WVU non-Extension lists as well. To retrieve a list of lists, send the command:
LISTS
The result of the command will be sent to the user.
Querying a list will send the user a listing of subscription options for that list. The user may also send a wildcard (a wildcard is the asterisk character *), which will result in a query of subscription options for all lists to which the user is subscribed. To query a list, send the command:
QUERY listname
Example 1:
QUERY ESHELP-L
Example 2:
QUERY *
The result of the command will be sent to the user.
3.2.3 Reviewing information about a list
Reviewing information about a list will send the user information about a list along with a listing of all subscribers to a particular list. This is useful if the user wants to view who is subscribed to a list. The user also can include an option that will list all subscribed users by name or by e-mail address. To review a list, send the command:
REVIEW listname [(options]
Notice that there is only a left parenthesis. This is intentional. Please DO NOT correct this when using options with this command.
Example 1:
REVIEW ESHELP-L
Example 2:
REVIEW ESHELP-L BY (Name
Example 3:
REVIEW ESHELP-L BY (Userid
The result of the command will be sent to the user.
3.2.4 Scanning a list's membership
Scanning a list's membership allows a user to scan a list to find a particular member or e-mail address. If the user does not know the exact spelling of a member's name, he or she can supply only a few letters of a name. In this case, all names beginning with letters supplied will be listed. To scan a list, send the command:
SCAN listname text
Example 1:
SCAN ESHELP-L John
Example 2:
SCAN ESHELP-L Jo
Example 3:
SCAN ESHELP-L john.doe@mail.wvu.edu
The result of the command will be sent to the user.
Informational commands are used to retrieve general information about LISTSERV®. These commands are very helpful and should be used whenever the need arises.
3.3.1 Getting help for list commands
If a user is unsure of the commands used in any of the above command examples, he or she can obtain a list of commands from the LISTSERV machine. To get help for list commands, send the command:
HELP
The result of the command will be sent to the user.
3.3.2 Ordering LISTSERV manuals
The user may also order LISTSERV manuals, free of charge, for reference. There are also some documents that may be more helpful in understanding LISTSERVs. The documents that may be of most interest are as follows:
To order a LISTSERV manual, or to get a list of available ones (if no topic is specified), send the command:
INFO [Topic]
Example 1:
INFO
Example 2:
INFO PRESENT
Example 3:
INFO FAQ
The result of the command will be sent to the user.
Electronic mailing lists are a new concept for many users. Understanding and using electronic mailing lists will be easy for some and may take time for others. They are somewhat different from the extension distribution lists we are accustomed to using; however, they basically work the same. The added benefits of electronic mailing lists will soon become evident.
If there are any questions regarding electronic mailing lists, concepts, or usage, feel free to contact the Extension Technology office. We will continue to share information to help you understand this topic in more detail.
I have included a slimmed down version of the "System Reference Library for LISTSERV version 1.8b" in Appendix A of this primer. It contains all of the commands listed in the "List Command Usage" section of the primer. Feel free to photocopy this page to have a handy reference sheet when using electronic mailing lists and LISTSERV®. Additional resources about LISTSERV® and L-Soft International, Inc. can be found at the following URL: http://www.lsoft.com/listserv.stm
Appendix A: List Command Reference
Commands are listed in alphabetical order, with the minimum acceptable abbreviation in capital letters. Square brackets are used to indicate optional parameters. The following command lines would be sent to: LISTSERV@listserv.wvu.edu
List subscription commands
| SUBscribe | listname full_name | Subscribe to a list, or change your name if already subscribed |
| SIGNOFF | listname | Remove yourself from the specified list |
| SET | listname options ACK/NOACK REPro/NOREPro |
Alter your subscription options: --> Acknowledgment for mailings --> Copy of your own mailings? |
Other list-related commands
| Lists | Sends a list of lists | |
| Query | listname | Query your subscription options for a particular list |
| (use the SET command to change them) | ||
| * | --> Query all lists you are subscribed to on the server | |
| REView | listname [(options] | Get information about a list |
| BY (sort_field | --> Sort list in certain order: | |
| Name | by name (last, then first) | |
| Userid | by e-mail address | |
| SCAN | listname text | Scan a list's membership for a name or e-mail address |
Informational commands
| Help | Obtain a list of commands | |
| Info | [Topic] | Order a LISTSERV manual, or get a list of available ones (if no topic is specified) |
