LISTSERV® Guide

 

Getting Started


Getting Started

What are mailing lists?

Mailing lists allow a person to send an e-mail message to one address and have it automatically forwarded to many e-mail addresses.

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Getting Started

What is LISTSERV®?

LISTSERV by L-Soft is e-mail list management software. LISTSERV offers a variety of e-mail list types including announcement-only and discussion groups (moderated or unmoderated).

LISTSERV allows list owners to maintain their lists through e-mail or web-browser interfaces. List subscribers can control personal list settings through a simple web interface. The list archives are available online. List subscribers can read and send messages via e-mail or through the web interface.

All LISTSERV communication must abide by IEEE E-MAIL ACCEPTABLE USE PRACTICES.

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Getting Started

What features does LISTSERV® offer?

The many features of LISTSERV® are summarized at LISTSERV® features by L-Soft.

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Getting Started

How do I use the web interface?

1.       Go to LISTSERV® the IEEE

2.      Select List Archives.

3.      Many LISTSERV selections do not require a login.

4.      The first time you see the screen Login Required you will have to create a LISTSERV E-mail Address and Password.

5.       Click Obtaining a login account and password for more information about e-mail addresses and passwords.

6.      Select get a new LISTSERV password first.

7.      Enter your E-mail Address and Password

a.       The e-mail address you enter on the web form must match the From: address supplied by your e-mail system, usually username@listserv.ieee.org . If you are unsure, send yourself an e-mail and check the From: line before filling in this section.

b.       LISTSERV allows you to set one password for all of your lists. The password can be up to 260 characters in length and contain the characters A-Z 0-9 $#@_-?!|%
This password is unique to LISTSERV, i.e., it is not synched with your e-mail password, your IEEE user login password.

c.       Once you enter the required information, select Register Password.

d.       You will see the message "For your protection, the password will not be activated just yet (anyone could have completed this form using your e-mail address)."

e.       To activate your password, simply follow the instructions that have been e-mailed to you.
Please wait until you receive a message from LISTSERV saying "Your new password was registered successfully" before trying to use it with the WWW interface.

8.      Once your password has been registered, use your browser Back button to return to the Login Required screen. You can now login with or without LISTSERV setting a cookie.

 .         We recommend that you scroll down and select Login without setting a cookie, especially in public areas.

       On the Password Saved screen, select follow this link Don't forget to log off at the end of your session.

9.      Once you are logged in, LISTSERV will display the web page you were seeking.

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Getting Started | FAQ More...

LISTSERV® keeps asking me to login again. Why?

Using the Back button on your web browser can cause:

1.       LISTSERV to logoff your session prematurely or,

2.      Make it look like you are logged off when you actually just went "back" too many screens.

We recommend that instead of using the Back button in your web browser you:

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Getting Started | List Subscribers

How do I find available lists?

Some list owners have elected to keep their listname confidential. If you know the listname and do not see it in the Online Mailing List Archives, try:

You can also obtain the list of local, non-confidential lists via e-mail:

1.       Address an e-mail message to listserv@listserv.ieee.org

2.      Put the following in the body of the message:
lists

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Getting Started | List Subscribers

How do I subscribe to a list?

You can subscribe (join) via e-mail by sending an enail message to listserv@ listserv.ieee.org click on this link.

1.       You must know the list name you want to join and you should send the request from the address you wish to subscribe.

2.      Type the following in the first line of the body of your message.

3.      Subscribe List-Name Your-Name

4.      Depending on the List you want to join, You will receive a confirmation of your request.

LISTSERV insists on having a "real world" name for everyone on the list, because addresses such as 56take23@YOUKNOWWHAT.COM are not very
informative to the other users of the listserv.ieee.org Normally, LISTSERV will extract both your e-mail address and your real name from the mail headers generated by your computer. But some computer programs do not supply any real name, and LISTSERV may ask you to resend the command with your name..." - http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8d/user/user.html#2.4

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Getting Started | List Subscribers

How do I post or send message to a list?

You must be subscribe to the list before you attempt to post a message to it. Once you have subscribed to the list, send your messages to the list through your mail client on your personal PC.
Example: Send your mail to the listname@listserv.ieee.org.

Note: Lists can be set to:

  • Public - Anyone can post to the listserv.ieee.org
  • Private - Only list members can send to the listserv.ieee.org
  • Editor - Messages will be reviewed by a moderator to be approved or denied. This is also used for "Announce-only" lists.
  • Public Auto-responder - The list simply responds with a set message.

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Getting Started | List Subscribers

How do I unsubscribe from a list?

To unsubscribe from a list, visit the following link:
My Mailing List Subscriptions

  • You will be requested to login to LISTSERV if you have not login to LISTSERV before.
  • Login with the email adress that you subscribe to IEEE mailing lists
  • Select the list you wish to unsubscribe from
  • Select unsubscribe and submit the change settings

or via e-mail:

1.       Address an e-mail message to listserv@listserv.ieee.org

2.      Put the following in the body of the message:
signoff listname

3.      Do not include your name or e-mail address in the body of the signoff message.
The message should be sent from the mail client you use to subscribe to the list.

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Getting Started | List Subscribers

How can I filter LISTSERV® messages?

My inbox is getting overloaded. Is there an easy way to automatically move (filter) these messages into another mailbox?

Yes. Simply follow the the procedure to filter mail messages within your domain.
IEEE Lotus Notes users should read the information provided in the following link as a guide to creating rules.
http://staff-web.ieee.org/it/spam.html


If you need further assistance, please contact the IEEE Help-Desk at Ex: 5439.

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Getting Started

How can I start my own list?

All IEEE staff, volunteers and members are eligible to start new lists with departmental approval.

Before requesting a new list, please:

1.       Review The LISTSERV policy statement.

2.       Review The IEEE Mailing-Lists Overview.

 

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Getting Started

Where can I obtain more information?

Information, including all of the L-Soft manuals, is available at IEEE LISTSERV® . Select Support Documentation.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

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