From: Mignon Erixon-Stanford, Academic Systems Head The ~ are tabstops. If you want to send me your fax number, I will fax you a copy of what it is SUPPOSED to look like. Here 'tis: -----------------------------8<-------------------------------------------- =FO21 =WS1.16 =F10 =R Mignon Erixon-Stanford Academic Systems Group =O LISTSERV Software November 2, 1992 =BB =BE =RR =I =F1 The LISTSERV software allows the creation of discussion groups (also known as LISTS), maintenance of a mailing list for each discussion group, maintenance of associated information files, and packages of related files. It was written by Eric Thomas, formerly of the Ecole Centrale de Paris and currently with Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan i Stockholm, Sweden (SEARN). LISTSERV is accessible to all BITNET and Internet users. =F3 Any discussion group based on the Smithsonian's LISTSERV machine must be sponsored by a Smithsonian staff member and should relate to the mission of the Smithsonian and the activities of the sponsoring Agency. =F1 A copy of the policy for establishing a Smithsonian-based discussion group is available from =F3 Mignon Erixon-Stanford, IRMSS907@SIVM, 357-4243. =F1 Here are some useful commands you may issue to the LISTSERV machine. To address a LISTSERV other than ours on SIVM, include the nodename. Each of commands listed below has several ways of being issued. In the "Live Command" line, the TELL command (on the IBM 4381) allows you to interactively issue commands to a LISTSERV machine; substitute the SEND command on a VAX. You may also issue commands by sending mail (addressed) to LISTSERV, with nothing in the Subject line, and the command (listed below, as "Mail Command:") in the text of the mail note. The "RDR file:" contains the name of the output file which will be sent to you. It may be the result of subscribing to a list, requesting a file, or a piece of mail with the results of your request. =T~ .2 .8 1.5 2.25 =F2 ~~~~ LISTSERV COMMANDS ~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =F2 ~~~ FINDING DISCUSSION GROUPS OF INTEREST =F1 Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV LIST GLOBAL /Subject =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 LIST GLOBAL /Subject =F1 RDR file:~~ LISTSERV LIST Explanation:~ Gives you all discussions about that subject. Results of search are sent to you as an output file. The subject may be whatever keyword you are searching for, such as /Anthropology. Upper/lower case is not important. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV LIST GLOBAL =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 LIST GLOBAL =F1 RDR file:~~ LISTSERV LIST Explanation:~ Lets you know ALL discussions on ALL LISTSERV across BITNET. The output file sent to you is so BIG that you run the risk of overflowing your IBM disk space. It is much safer to use the previous example (with /Subject). This should be ordered this from your local node (SIVM) to avoid unecessary network traffic. All LISTSERV machines automatically update this list daily. =P Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV LIST =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 LIST =F1 Explanation:~ Find out which lists are operational locally. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV AT node LIST =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 LIST =F1 Explanation:~ Find out which lists are operational on a particular node ~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =F2 ~~~ CATCHING UP ON PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS =F1 Now that you have found discussion groups of possible interest, you may try them out first without subscribing. Substitute the listname for "LISTXX-L" in the commands below. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV INDEX =F1 Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV AT othernode INDEX =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 INDEX =F1 RDR file:~~ LISTSERV FILELIST Explanation:~ This is master index file (akin to a root directory). You may skip this and go directory to the index for the discussion group of your choice. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV INDEX LISTXX-L =F1 Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV AT othernode INDEX LISTXX-L =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 INDEX LISTXX-L =F1 RDR file:~~ LISTXX-L FILELIST Explanation:~ Tells you which files are available from LISTXX-L. There may be individual files or Notebooks of monthly discussions. Look at the size of the monthly discussion groups to ascertain whether they are extremely chatty or not. You may also want to order last month's notebook and review the discussion. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV GET Filename Filetype =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 GET Filename Filetype =F1 RDR file:~~ Filename Filetype Explanation:~ Requests copy of said file to your RDR. If you want to get the notebooks, use the GET command as above. Notebooks are usually named: LISTXX-L LOGyymm. So the log for Oct 92 would be named LISTXX-L LOG9210. Remember that LISTSERV keeps the notebooks, so don't use your valuable disk space for that. There are commands for searching through the notebooks. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV REVIEW LISTXX-L =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 REVIEW LISTXX-L =F1 RDR file:~ ~ LISTXX-L LIST Explanation:~ Requests info about that list and a list of members. Most lists are open subscription, but some are not. For example, SICHAT-L is restricted to a Service area. This means that only people on SIVM, SIMSC and SIMNH may join & post to the discussion. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV STATS LISTXX-L =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 STATS LISTXX-L =F1 Explanation:~ Requests stats on list activity ~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =F2 ~~~ SUBSCRIBING, RENEWING, AND UNSUBSCRIBING =F1 Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV SUB LISTXX-L Yourfirst Lastnames =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 SUB LISTXX-L Yourfirst Lastnames =F1 Explanation:~ Subscribes you to the discussion group. To jump into the conversation, send mail to LISTXX-L or LISTXX-L AT nodename. =P Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV CONFIRM LISTXX-L =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 CONFIRM LISTXX-L =F1 Explanation:~ Confirms your subscription to the discussion group for another period of time (determined by the list owner - 1 year, 6 months, etc.). This allows LISTSERV to prune extinct userids from the distribution list. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV SIGNOFF LISTXX-L =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 SIGNOFF LISTXX-L =F1 Explanation:~ Cancel your subscription (unsubscribe). Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV QUERY LISTXX-L =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 QUERY LISTXX-L =F1 Explanation:~ Finds out your distribution options (if you are a subscriber. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV SET LISTXX-L REPRO =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 SET LISTXX-L REPRO =F1 Explanation:~ Sends you a copy of your mailing. Default is that you don't get a copy of your own posting. This overrides that default. ~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =F2 ~~~GETTING HELP FROM LISTSERV =F1 Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV HELP =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 HELP =F1 Explanation:~ Requests a list of commands from LISTSERV. If you are on the IBM, you may alternately issue the command =F3 HELP LISTSERV.=F1 ~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =F2 ~~~SETTING YOUR VACATION OPTIONS =F1 Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV SET LISTXX-L NOMAIL ~~~ TELL LISTSERV AT nodexxx SET xxxxx-L NOMAIL =F1 Mail Command:~ =F2 SET LISTXX-L NOMAIL =F1 RDR:~~ If you send the command in a piece of mail, you will get acknowledgement in a piece of mail, otherwise, there is no file in your Reader. You will get acknowledgement on your screen shortly. Explanation:~ If you are going on vacation, this command temporarily stems the flow of incoming mail from that discussion group. Live Command:~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV SET LISTXX-L MAIL =F1 ~~~ =F2 TELL LISTSERV AT nodexxx SET xxxxx-L MAIL =F1 Explanation:~ When you return from vacation, issuing this command turns the mail flow back on. ~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =F2 ~~~ BITNET RULES AND POINTS OF ETIQUETTE =F1 ~~~ Some basic rules apply: ~Do not use LISTSERV or BITNET to willfully violate software copyright. ~Do not spread files or programs which cause loss or damage to data or the system(s), such as a computer virus. ~Do not solicit employment over BITNET. The Institution may advertise open positions, but you may not send your resume to someone in the hopes of landing a job. ~The Smithsonian has accepted responsibility for your use of network services. Our use of BITNET is governed by BITNET policy, which states that BITNET must not be used for commercial purposes or for profit ventures. If you abuse your BITNET priviledges, you may lose your userid. ~When replying to someone's posting, it is courteous to restate the problem and then give your solution. ~Please remember that thousands of people will read your posting. No matter how *STUPID* the other person's posting is, please do not engage in inflammatory name calling and profanity. ----------------------------8<----------------------------8<---------------- =-=-=-=-=-=- IRMSS907@SIVM or SIVM.SI.EDU -=-=-=-=-=-= Research Systems Division Smithsonian Institution Voice: 202-357-4243 Fax: 202-786-2687