Listservers - listname address - administrative address - subscribe and unsubscribe automatically

An e-mail discussion list typically has two addresses
associated with it: (1) a "listname address," the address to
which you send any messages that you intend to be read by
the list subscribers; and (2) an "administrative address,"
the address to which you send any commands or requests that
affect your subscription to the list.

With most discussion lists, the "administrative
address" is a computer program that allows the subscriber to
subscribe and unsubscribe automatically, without external
intervention.

For a variety of listservers, go to http://www.lsoft.com

How to communicate with a list server

Listserver General Commands

SUBscribe

The SUBscribe command is LISTSERV's basic command, issued by users to join mailing lists.

1. SUBSCRIBE (listname) ANONYMOUS
   [The CONCEAL subscription option is automatically set, granting the subscriber the maximal level of protection available.]
2. SUBSCRIBE (listname) (your_full_name) WITH options - This syntax allows you to "preset" subscription options at subscribe time.
   Example: To search a listservers archives, but don't want to receive postings use the following command.
   SUBSCRIBE MYLIST-L Joe User WITH NOMAIL where MYLIST-L is the list server, Joe User is the subscriber - the syntax allows you to "preset" the subscription option NOMAIL at subscribe time.

JOIN is a synonym for SUBscribe.

How to SIGNOFF from a listserver or all listservers at once

SIGNOFF listname|*|* [(NETWIDE]

UNSUBscribe is a synonym for SIGNOFF.

* Sign off of all lists on that server

The "* (NETWIDE parameter causes the LISTSERV server to forward a copy of the signoff request to all other registered LISTSERV servers.

Various other options

CHANGE listname|* newaddr - if you have a change of email address

SET listname ACK - acknowledging the receipt and distribution of the user's posting is sent back to the user.

SET listname NOACK - No posting acknowledgement is sent.

SET listname MSGack - An interactive message is sent to acknowledge receipt and distribution.

SET listname CONCEAL - Allows the user to be concealed from the REVIEW command. Review get you a list of all subscribers

SET listname NOCONCEAL - "Unhides" the user

SET listname Mail/NOMail - toggle the receipt of non-mail files from the list.

SET listname DIGests/INDex/NODIGests/NOINDex - these options set the format in which list mail is received by the subscriber.

SET listname REPro/NOREPro Causes LISTSERV to send you a copy of your own postings as they are distributed.

SET listname MIME/NOMIME - Toggles MIME options on and off.

SET listname HTML/NOHTML - Toggle the HTML function for digests and indexes on and off.

SET listname TOPICS: ALL | [+/-]topicname - For lists with topics.

SET listname FULLhdr | IETFhdr | SHORThdr | DUALhdr | SUBJecthdr | FULL822 | SHORT822 - Sets your incoming email header.

CONFIRM listname - When the list in question requires periodic subscription renewals.

GETPost listname post_number [post_number [...]] - GETPost is used after receiving the output of a SEARch command to retrieve the postings you want from the SEARch output.

INDex [listname] - contents of the "root" level archive filelist.

Lists [option] - Access the global list of lists maintained by LISTSERV or use L-Soft's CataList service at http://www.lsoft.com/catalist.html.

Query listname - Query your subscription options for a particular list.

REGister full_name | OFF - Register's the user's full name field in LISTSERV's SIGNUP files.

REView listname [(options] - Get information about a list.

SCAN listname text - Scan a list's membership for a name or address.

Stats listname [(options] - Get statistics about a list.

Information commands

Help - Obtain a list of commonly-used LISTSERV commands.

Info [topic|listname] - Order a LISTSERV manual, or get a list of available ones.

Query File fn ft [filelist] [(options] - (Available only on VM)

RELEASE - Find out who maintains the server and the version of the software and network data files.

SHOW DISTribute - Statistics about DISTRIBUTE (include a variety of useful functions - check http://www.lsoft.com)

File server and web functions

GET fn ft [filelist] [(options] [F=fformat] [SPLIT=integer] - Order the specified file or package from LISTSERV.

GIVE - VM Syntax: For LISTSERV running under VM.
Sends a file stored in a LISTSERV file archive to someone else.
Example:
GIVE LISTSERV REFCARD joenewuser@hishost.com
GIVE LISTSERV REFCARD TO joenewuser@hishost.com

INDex [filelist|catalog] - Same as GET xxxx FILELIST.

PW function - Define/change a "personal password"

SENDme - Same as GET.