I've learned a lot due to my question. I wasn't aware at all that there was a distribute function. I think you have to be an administrator to take advantage of it, but will definately save time in the future in not having to create a list. I'm going to use it for a monthly newsletter that I send out to cable operators in the future. I tried to use the link you posted, but it didn't work....someone else had sent the instructions to me privately. I'll post that here...thank go to Ed Paynter for this: //jobname JOB ["jobname" can be anything or a space] DISTRIBUTE MAIL PW=xxxxxxxx ["xxxxx" is your password, see note below] //To DD * [insert valid email addresses here, one per line, no blank lines] /* //Data DD *,EOF Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 12:34:56 -0500 From: "fill in" <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > [whatever address you choose] Subject: fill in Reply-to: "fill in" <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > [optional] To: The blank line above is needed. [your message replaces The DISTRIBUTE job is found on page 104 of the these lines] system admin's manual for version 1.8c LISTSERV. -----Original Message----- From: Pete Weiss [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, September 11, 1998 12:26 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: help with announce only list At 11:22 9/10/98 -0400, Jacob Haller said: |>I need to subscribe 25,000 people to an announce only list quietly. What is |>the easiest way to do this? I have email addresses only in a text file |>format. | |The fast, nice bulk add command goes as follows: What is interesting is that the original question and followup Q&A revealed that there might be only two distributions, in which case one would consider the value of creating a list to begin with, and instead use the DISTRIBUTE function (the LISTSERV document request I've posted earlier today). <None of the following should be construed as a criticism of the recent poster about the SUBJECT:.> Directing a list-owner to the manual for the answer to lookup a basic operation is an excellent idea: unfortunately there is no LISTSERV owner's (or for that matter email or Internet) driver's license. The reasons why it is a good idea for what is a basic Q&A: 1) basic info was put in the manual for a reason: to be read (learning where and how to access this info is critical) 2) most lists (not all), esp. LSTOWN-L should be used after an individual has made an offline effort at finding the info. This goes back to Eric's comment about giving a person a fish: instead, teach them how and they will bless you. /Pete