LISTSERVERS AT USC: GENERAL INFORMATION
January 5, 1999
  1. Introduction.


    2. A listprocessor, or a listserver, is an automated email mailing list system. A mailing list is a list of users and their addresses who have a common interest. Creating a listserver mailing list enables persons to send email to a single address which then distributes the mail to all the users on that list. The listserver computer and software system enables users to share and easily manage a mailing list.

    There are several types of listprocessor software. At this time, USC uses the CREN Listprocessor software on USC's central computing system. Commands may be sent to the software by email: the commands are put into the text of messages sent to listproc@usc.edu. To get help regarding CREN Listprocessor software commands, either send the command HELP to listproc@usc.edu, or examine web-based documentation at either the USC site http://www.usc.edu/isd/doc/maillists/ or the vendor site http://www.cren.net/listproc/

    At USC, convention is that all names of lists maintained by the listserver end with the suffix "-L." Thus, the name of the listserver of the Medical Faculty Assembly of the USC School of Medicine was chosen to be USC-MFA-L.
     

  2. Ownership and posting messages to a list.


    3. USC creates an email list on its server only if someone takes responsibility for managing the list. Managing includes helping persons subscribe or unsubscribe from the list, or determining the cause of errors in the sending or receiving of messages. Those persons with the responsibility for managing the list are termed the owners of the list. They have knowledge of a password that must be included in some of the commands sent by email to listproc@usc.edu.

    The CREN Listprocessor allows for two main methods of posting to a list. The "open" or "unmoderated" method allows anyone on the list to post messages to the list. This method allows for unrestrained dialog between all subscribers of the list. The "controlled" or "moderated" method allows posting only by the owners of the list. This method allows the owners to control all the messages sent to the list.
     

  3. Voluntary versus not-voluntary Subscription to Lists.


    4. The CREN Listprocessor allows for two methods of subscribing and unsubscribing from a list. The "voluntary" method allows anyone to subscribe or unsubscribe. The "not-voluntary" method allows only the owners to add or subtract a person from the list.
     

  4. Commonly used commands.


    5. If you are an owner of a list, then to add or delete someone from a list, send as text in an email message to listproc@usc.edu either:

       
      ADD NAME-OF-LIST password emailname@place.whatever. Lastname_Firstname.

      DELETE NAME-OF-LIST password emailname@place.whatever.
       

    To review the names of those subscribed to a list command = REVIEW NAME-OF LIST.

    Those using software that can automatically sends confirmation receipts to received messages (such as Pegasus Mail) should turn off this feature. Confirmation receipts sent to a listserver may be read as unknown commands to the listserver, and generate error mail for the listowner, who may then delete you from the list.

    Posted by Harvey Kaslow