This page describes specifically the way the mailing lists run by 4QD operate. However most mailing lists work on very similar lines with only minor differences, so it may be a helpful introduction to other mailing lists.
Mailing lists are half way between newsgroups and email.
Newsgroups are a type of public notice board: absolutely anyone can post to an n.g. and anyone can read what's been posted. All you have to do is log on to the n.g. and pick up the postings.
Email is a private system whereby you, at your computer, send an electronic mail to another person at another computer. Of course, you can send umpteen copies of the same email to umpteen different persons. That, of course, is the method used by spammers - when it is most popular. But it's quite acceptable amongst a few individuals.
A mail List is a sort of 'private newsgroup' set up using this ability to send an email to many people simultaneously. But, in a mail list, the people who want to receive emails addressed to the list, have to first 'subscribe' or 'signon' to the list.
My computer has a list of email addresses and any email sent to, for instance, torrens-l@4qd.org will be automatically re-broadcast, by the computer, to all the addresses on this list and to nobody else. So, if you want to get copies of these emails, you must add your name to the relevant list by subscribing.
It seems there are two types of list in use. Call them 'Discussion List' and 'Bulletin List'. The difference is in the use of an extra header in the emails sent out.
These mailing list are all run by Pluto on an Acorn Risc PC.
Pluto has two modes of operating: essentially Moderated and Unmoderated.
I operate most of the lists 'Moderated' - I see them first and get the opportunity of answering the points first.
To answer a point I use the character ] as a quote character. In the email program Pluto only, this is special and shows up in a suitable colour. Other emailers don't have the same system, so it shows up (probably) as normal quoted text of indeterminate age. Unless you realise that it's the List owner's comments it can be confusing.
Pluto runs a few lists - but these are not listed here, as spambots have collected email addresses!
The server runs
Anyone wanting to add (or remove) their name to a mailing list list does it themselves, automatically.
Send a blank email to the appropriate list with the subject containing only the single word unsubscribe
You can if you wish use Signoff (all one word) instead of Unsubscribe.
In both cases the body should be blank - as the computer simply recognises the subject and deletes the contents of the email. If the message body is not blank, it doesn't really matter, but it's unlikely that it will get read. The computer automatically deletes any subscribe messages, after it's added the email address to the list.
Our computer will automatically add the email address of the person who sends in the 'subscribe' email - so you cannot subscribe someone else!
And yes: it is indeed possible for me to add you manually to a list, and to remove you, but this is not the way it's meant to work!
If you ever change email address, you simply send an 'Unsusbcribe' message from the old address and a 'Subscribe' message from the new email address. It's as simple as that! Don't bother with a request for the list owner to do it - the list membership is maintained by the computer and it will not understand.
To send a message to everyone on the email list, simply send a message in the form of a normal email to the appropriate mail list.
Our computer will automatically broadcast it to everyone on the mail list - including yourself, but only if you have subscribed before sending the message. If you have not subscribed, then you won't see the message so won't know that it has been circulated. There can be delays in the Internet so it's best to not post to a list until several hours after subscribing.
Most people I know abhor these. Spawn of the devil! Please turn them off, they inflate internet traffic by up to 300%.
Generally these are not approved on any mailing list, but if they are short and to the point, I have no objection.
Anything at all to do with genealogy related to the families originating in the Bann Valley, Northern Ireland. Currently 74 members, but we have been able to exchange useful data.
109 memberst. Anything related to the program StrongEd.
Currently 70 members. Matters related to the electronic circuits published on 4QD www site and related areas of interest.
Anything at all to do with genealogy, particularly to do with the family name. Currently there are around 87 people on the list so remember that anything you write is going to be re-sent to everyone and is not private. Beyond that - the list will become whatever you make it.
It is quite possible for someone who is on the list to send a spam. It will be re-broadcast automatically. However, I run a strict policy of reporting all spam received to the service provider(s) responsible. I have a very tough definition of 'spam' (see Spam) and am proud to have helped many a spammer to get his account closed.
If you receive a spam: do not respond to it. In particular, never return a 'REMOVE' message - this simply confirms that your email address is indeed live. Spammers all sell each other lists of live email addresses! So you may get removed from one spammer's list - but you will certainly get more spam from others.
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This page's URL: http://www.4qd.co.uk/ro/general/maillst.html
© 1999-2003 RJT
Page last updated Thursday the 1st of November, 2001.
Page design by Richard Torrens.