I posted something yesterday that mentioned we require wannabe list-owners to come to a 3 hour (or so) talk about LISTSERV. A couple of you have asked privately what I discuss. I'll attempt to summarize it on the list, just in case others are also curious. First off, there is no fixed in stone outline, since the backgrounds of the list-owners vary considerably. For example, in the last talk I gave I didn't have to spend too much time on general LISTSERV commands since the participants were already pretty familiar with LISTSERV from the viewpoint of the end-user. In fact, they had even read much of the LISTSERV documentation beforehand. I give each person: 1) a brief outline of the talk (see below), 2) a printout of a session showing various LISTSERV commands (e.g. TELL LISTSERV REVIEW TEST-L and the response), 3) a list of all header keywords with their format and a one line summary of what each does (this is one I put together which is very brief and also updated regularly - it serves just to help them remember the format and basic function of a keyword) 4) A list of LISTSERV commands (basically a lightly edited refcard) 5) A sample list header 6) Sample error mail; sample "welcome" mail 7) A document we prepared explaining how to store files Another thing that would be helpful, though I haven't gotten around to it is a page or two showing an LDBASE session as well as a batch search. I haven't yet thought of how to incorporate the new features of 17.f into the talk - it will probably end up stretching to well over 3 hours if I do. Since 3 hours was already stretching what people could absorb I'll have to give it a little more thought. Following is the outline I used for the last talk we gave, should you want an idea of what was discussed. Note one of the topics is a LISTSERV 500 disk - that's just a disk we give listowners that has some LISTSERV info on it, like a copy of the handouts, summary of changes in a new release etc. One final note - I guess I'm willing to send most of this stuff to you if you request it, but it will definitely need some polishing and tailoring for your site. Bill Gruber City University of New York Computer Center -----( outline of last talk given )------ What is LISTSERV? A computer program! What does LISTSERV do? Mail distribution (So what, can't I do that too?) File distribution File server Database (of sorts) How does it do it? How do people interact with LISTSERV... mail, messages Always running... "looks" for mail How LISTSERV sends mail OK, I want one, now what? Devote some time to it Decide on a name Prepare header Customize mail? Sign people up Publicize it (NEW-LIST@NDSUVM1) Maintain it! Some LISTSERV commands Storing files on LISTSERV LSVPUT exec Things to watch out for What if I go away? (Time limit and volume limit) Rejected mail notices. Disk space Shadow on netnews Bitnet vs Internet For more help: List of info files from LISTSERV LSTOWN-L@INDYCMS OWNERS-L local owner list LISTSERV 500 disk Consulting office