Quick Links
Listservs
- Listservs allow you to send mail to a group of addresses via a single address.
- They are usually centered on a single discussion topic. Yulib-l, Yulcat-l, etc. are listservs.
- Listservs always have a "broadcast address" and a "subscription address." Don't mix them up! Send to the broadcast address ONLY when you want your message to go to everyone on the list. Send to the subscription address when you want to unsubscribe or change subscription options.
- Many lists have "bozo filters" that prevent "unsubscribe" messages from being distributed, but no filter will stop you from insulting someone and then accidentally sending it to the list. We've all seen these. Watch that reply key!
- When you subscribe to a list, you will get a confirmation with information about how to unsubscribe and change subscription options. Don't delete it. There are many listserv programs, and the commands vary.
- No matter what the program,you can usually get a copy of listserv commands by sending a message to the subscription address with "help" in the message body. To get this file for Yale lists, send to listproc@lists.yale.edu.
- Listservs are a great candidate for filtering. Set a filter to pick up topics that interest you. Filter the rest to the trash.
- Another useful way to receive listserv messages is via digest. Instead of getting each message as it comes out, you get a daily (or weekly, etc.) single message that includes the text of all messages sent to the list since the last digest.