Information Technology Services: Email Services

LISTSERV Frequently Asked Questions

List Subscribers
How do I ...

List Owners - Introduction
How do I ... General UAlbany Home Page

List Subscribers

How do I subscribe to/unsubscribe from a list?

ITS' Quick Start document on subscribing to a LISTSERV list describes the process.

There are also two "quick request" e-mail addresses that exist for each list to process subscriptions and unsubscriptions. They are listname-subscribe-request@listserv.albany.edu and listname-unsubscribe-request@listserv.albany.edu, respectively. Just send a blank e-mail to one of these addresses, substituting the name of the list for listname, and your request will be processed. (Note that you must send the e-mail message from the address you want to subscribe/unsubscribe; you may be required to verify your request by e-mail.)

How do I access list archives?

List archives can be accessed either over the web or by e-mail.

To access them over the web, go to the LISTSERV web interface and click the first link to "Access list archives." If your list does not appear on the screen that follows, simply type it in the box near the top of the page. If the archives are restricted, you may be required to enter a password (the login page will tell you how to obtain one).

Retrieving archives via e-mail will more difficult for those with limited computer expertise. See the user's guide for detailed instructions.

How do I get a LISTSERV password?

A password is required to prove your identity for some commands. If you are asked to provide a password over the web, the login page contains instructions on how to create a password.

If you need to create a password by e-mail, send LISTSERV the PWD ADD ******** command, replacing "********" with your new password.

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List Owners

What is a 'listserv?'

What is commonly referred to as a 'listserv' is actually a mailing list run by the LISTSERV software (see terminology note below). A LISTSERV list functions just like a distribution list you might set up in your mail software, but it is stored on a central server and provides more features and greater control. For example, people can join a list (subscribe) and leave the list (unsubscribe). The list owner may control who is allowed to send messages to the list, or who is allowed to view the subscriber list. List messages may be archived on the server for later retrieval. Such lists make handling large numbers of addresses much easier than it would be if a list were maintained in a person's e-mail program. Mailing lists are usually used as a vehicle for member discussion of a particular topic, but can also be used to broadcast announcements to a large group.

While LISTSERV is the name of the software we happen to use, it's only one of many mailing list management software applications available. Other examples of mailing list management software are Majordomo, Listproc, and SmartList.

How do I manage my list subscribers (add, remove,etc.)?

While it is possible to do this by e-mail, it is much easier to add and remove subscribers using the web interface. Once you have logged in with your e-mail address and password, select the list you want to work with and then click the "Subscribers" button.

How do I use the web interface?

The web interface provides a simple point-and-click method of accessing or making changes to a list. Most management functions have some sort of on-screen description, making navigation of the interface fairly straightforward. However, list owners may refer to the owner's guide for details on how to accomplish common management functions over the web.

How do I change a subscriber's address?

From the subscriber management area of the list management interface, enter the name or e-mail address of the subscriber whose address you want to change. Once you have pulled up their subscriber information, you may change their e-mail address as it appears in the text field and click the Update button. You have the option of selecting whether the subscriber should be notified of any changes you have made.

How do I transfer my list to a new owner?

If you wish to transfer ownership of your list to someone else, you must contact the Help Desk. Once ownership has been transferred, the new owner must create a LISTSERV password upon logging into the management area, if he/she doesn't already have one.

How do I change my list's welcome/farewell message?

To alter your list's welcome/farewell message, first log into the web management interface. Once you have logged in, select the list you wish to work with at the top of the management page and click the "Templates" button. Select either the "Welcome" or "Farewell" template from the drop-down box and click "Edit Form." Enter your desired message and click "Update."

Please note that ITS does not provide assistance with the alteration of any other templates. See the documentation for information on how to change other templates.

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General

Where do I send commands and where do I send regular messages?

When using e-mail to interact with a list, commands must always be sent to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.ALBANY.EDU, while regular messages to be posted to a list must be sent to list-name@LISTSERV.ALBANY.EDU, where "list-name" is the name of a particular list.

Where is the web interface?

The LISTSERV web interface can be found at http://listserv.albany.edu:8080.

How can I start a list?

First, keep in mind that only University faculty and staff may apply for a list on our LISTSERV server. If you are eligible to apply for a list, just complete the online application.

Why are attachments coming through garbled?

In a time where attachments were not so popular ;) , LISTSERV lists were created with the "Short" default subscriber option. This option causes subscribers to receive abbreviated mail headers by default when they subscribe to a list. Unfortunately, however, some of the eliminated headers are critical to being able to interpret attachments properly. While lists are no longer created in this manner, there are some older lists remaining that may exhibit this problem.

If you are a list subscriber, you can change your receiving option so that you receive full mail headers. Send the following e-mail command to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.ALBANY.EDU:

SET listname FULL

More than likely if you're a list owner, you'll want to change this option for all of your subscribers. To do this, send LISTSERV the following comand, with your LISTSERV password at the end:

QUIET SET listname FULL FOR *@* PW=XXXXXXX

In order to prevent new subscribers from being set to the wrong default option, edit your list configuration (header) and change the value of the Default-Options= keyword. Any appearance of the word "Short" or "Shorthdr" after this keyword should be substituted with the word "Full."

Why can't I call my list a 'listserv?'

It may simply be called a "list" or "mailing list," or more specifically, a "LISTSERV list." However, to call it a "listserv" is incorrect. The following is taken from the introduction to L-Soft's LISTSERV General User's Guide:

... some people (incorrectly) say "a listserv" when they really mean "a mailing list", as in "I am looking for a listserv on water skiing". This is about as appropriate as saying "I am looking for a wordprocessor on the Stockholm syndrome", when what you really mean is that you are looking for a paper or thesis on that syndrome, presumably written with a word processor. ...

Another common misconception is that "listserv" is a generic English word, like "electronic". Some people say "a listserv list" whether the list is a "real" LISTSERV list or a list managed by a totally different and incompatible mailing list manager. ... Now, this may sound like nit-picking and an unfair imposition on the memory of non-technical users, but on the other hand people have no trouble remembering that "a Mac" is not an acceptable way to refer to a PC. LISTSERV is a registered trademark licensed exclusively to L-Soft international, Inc., as the name of its mailing list processor product and the term should not be used generically.

Where can I find manuals for LISTSERV?

Manuals are available in various formats at L-Soft's web site. The LISTSERV home page also provides links to them.

What are the policies for use of LISTSERV?

ITS' policies for use of its LISTSERV service can be viewed on the web at http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/listpolicies.html.

Whom may I contact with questions about ITS' LISTSERV service?

Questions regarding any ITS service, including LISTSERV, may be addressed to the Help Desk.

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