NIH LISTSERV Facility\
User's Guide

October 2001

Division of Network Systems and Telecommunications\
NIH Center for Information Technology\
National Institutes of Health\
7550 Wisconsin Ave. Suite 416\
Bethesda, MD 20892-9110

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

**Introduction [1](#introduction)**

What is LISTSERV? [1](#what-is-listserv)

Who May Use LISTSERV? [1](#who-may-use-listserv)

Who's Who On LISTSERV [1](#whos-who-on-listserv)

About This Document [2](#about-this-document)

Using The Web Interface [3](#using-the-web-interface)

The NIH LISTSERV Home Page [3](#the-nih-listserv-home-page)

The NIH "List of Lists" [3](#the-nih-list-of-lists)

Login and Passwords [4](#login-and-passwords)

Confirming a Request for Confirmation
[6](#confirming-a-request-for-confirmation)

Browsing List Archives [7](#browsing-list-archives)

Joining or Leaving a LISTSERV List Using the Web Interface
[12](#joining-or-leaving-a-listserv-list-using-the-web-interface)

Changing Your Personal Subscription Options
[14](#changing-your-personal-subscription-options)

Posting Messages to a List From the Web Interface
[18](#posting-messages-to-a-list-from-the-web-interface)

Other General User Functions [20](#other-general-user-functions)

Instructions for General Users [20](#instructions-for-general-users)

Create a LISTSERV Password [21](#create-a-listserv-password)

What Lists Am I On? [21](#what-lists-am-i-on)

Change My Subscriber Address [22](#change-my-subscriber-address)

Unsubscribe From All Lists [24](#unsubscribe-from-all-lists)

For Further Information [26](#for-further-information)

Appendix A: Sending Mail To A List Via E‑mail
[27](#appendix-a-sending-mail-to-a-list-via-email)

Posting Via E‑mail [27](#posting-via-email)

Sending an E‑mail Message to the List Owner
[27](#sending-an-email-message-to-the-list-owner)

Appendix B: User Commands [28](#appendix-b-user-commands)

Sending Commands To LISTSERV [28](#sending-commands-to-listserv)

Notational Conventions for Commands
[28](#notational-conventions-for-commands)

Common LISTSERV Commands [29](#common-listserv-commands)

Asking for Information [29](#asking-for-information)

Modifying Your Personal List Settings
[30](#modifying-your-personal-list-settings)

Other User Commands [31](#other-user-commands)

Appendix C: General User FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
[32](#appendix-c-general-user-faq-frequently-asked-questions)

How do I find out what lists are available at NIH?
[32](#how-do-i-find-out-what-lists-are-available-at-nih)

I can\'t find a particular list on the NIH Lists of Lists. I know the
list exists. Why isn\'t it there?
[32](#i-cant-find-a-particular-list-on-the-nih-lists-of-lists.-i-know-the-list-exists.-why-isnt-it-there)

How can I find mailing lists on a specific topic?
[32](#how-can-i-find-mailing-lists-on-a-specific-topic)

How do I subscribe to a LISTSERV list?
[32](#how-do-i-subscribe-to-a-listserv-list)

How do I unsubscribe from a LISTSERV list?
[33](#how-do-i-unsubscribe-from-a-listserv-list)

How do I send mail to a list? [33](#how-do-i-send-mail-to-a-list)

Help! I\'m trying to unsubscribe from a list, but LISTSERV is telling me
I\'m not subscribed. I\'ve been getting mail from that list for years.
What\'s wrong?
[33](#help-im-trying-to-unsubscribe-from-a-list-but-listserv-is-telling-me-im-not-subscribed.-ive-been-getting-mail-from-that-list-for-years.-whats-wrong)

How do I stop my mail while I\'m away from my office?
[33](#how-do-i-stop-my-mail-while-im-away-from-my-office)

My email address has changed. How do I update it?
[34](#my-email-address-has-changed.-how-do-i-update-it)

I subscribed to a list and I\'m being inundated with mail. I\'m
interested in the list and don\'t want to unsubscribe. Any suggestions
for lightening the load?
[34](#i-subscribed-to-a-list-and-im-being-inundated-with-mail.-im-interested-in-the-list-and-dont-want-to-unsubscribe.-any-suggestions-for-lightening-the-load)

Why do I keep seeing mail from people on my list who are trying to
unsubscribe?
[34](#why-do-i-keep-seeing-mail-from-people-on-my-list-who-are-trying-to-unsubscribe)

Why did everyone on the list see a reply that I intended to be personal?
[34](#why-did-everyone-on-the-list-see-a-reply-that-i-intended-to-be-personal)

I sent an email message to several LISTSERV lists at once, but I only
got one copy. I\'m subscribed to all of the lists. What happened?
[35](#i-sent-an-email-message-to-several-listserv-lists-at-once-but-i-only-got-one-copy.-im-subscribed-to-all-of-the-lists.-what-happened)

How can I contact the owner of a list?
[35](#how-can-i-contact-the-owner-of-a-list)

I have a question you didn\'t answer here. Where can I get more help?
[35](#i-have-a-question-you-didnt-answer-here.-where-can-i-get-more-help)

# Introduction

## What is LISTSERV?

LISTSERV is an electronic mailing list management tool that enables
people with common interests to correspond via e‑mail. LISTSERV lists
are available at computer sites around the world. The National
Institutes of Health (NIH) LISTSERV facility is run by the NIH Center
for Information Technology. The NIH LISTSERV facility is currently
running LISTSERV version 1.8d.

With LISTSERV, people who are interested in a specific topic can
subscribe to a list that deals with that topic. Once subscribed, they
can easily converse, via e‑mail, with others who share that interest, or
receive announcements about it. Whenever mail is sent to a list,
LISTSERV automatically distributes copies to all list subscribers. The
sender does not need to know the names and network addresses of all the
subscribers, since that information is maintained by LISTSERV. There are
LISTSERV machines all over the Internet. The NIH has its own LISTSERV
machine, which currently hosts more than 1600 mailing lists.

LISTSERV was written by Eric Thomas and is the sole property of L-Soft
International, Inc.

## Who May Use LISTSERV?

Anyone with e‑mail or World Wide Web access to the Internet may use
LISTSERV. (At NIH, this includes anyone with a connection to NIHnet,
e‑mail software, and/or a Web browser.) Any employee of the Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS) may create and "own" a list on the
NIH LISTSERV Facility. Use of the NIH LISTSERV Facility is restricted to
official government business.

## Who's Who On LISTSERV {#whos-who-on-listserv .unnumbered}

LISTSERV users fall into three categories:

-   [subscribers]{.underline} users who send to and receive mail from
    the lists

-   [list owners]{.underline} responsible for the management of
    individual lists

-   [postmasters]{.underline} responsible for the operation and
    maintenance of\
    LISTSERV

[Subscribers]{.underline} can join ("subscribe to") lists; query and
change their subscriber options; change their names as recorded by
LISTSERV; and, of course, leave a list ("unsubscribe").

[List owners]{.underline} include any user who creates a list on the NIH
LISTSERV Facility, or who takes over responsibility for an existing
list. List owners are responsible for managing lists that they "own."

List owners have considerable control over their lists. This includes
the ability to add and remove subscribers; maintain and collect usage
statistics; and suspend and resume distribution of mail and archive
files. (Any HHS employee or registered NIH Computer Facility user may
become a list owner. For further details on owning a list, please
consult the *NIH LISTSERV Facility List Owner's Guide*).

Items under the owner's control include:

-   who may join the list

-   who knows about the list

-   who may post to the list

-   archiving of messages

[The NIH LISTSERV Administrators]{.underline} have list owner authority
for all lists on the NIH LISTSERV machine. In addition, they can stop
and restart LISTSERV and maintain critical control files. E-mail the NIH
LISTSERV Administrators at <listmaster@list.nih.gov> ("NIH LISTSERV
Administrators" on the NIH Exchange Global Address List).

## About This Document

This document contains information designed to assist general users of
the NIH LISTSERV facility. Copies of this and other LISTSERV
documentation may be viewed online or downloaded from the NIH LISTSERV
Home Page (Figure 1) at the following URL:

[**http://list.nih.gov**](http://list.nih.gov/)

Click on **For General Users**, then click **Instructions for General
Users**, then select the desired document.

# Using The Web Interface

## The NIH LISTSERV Home Page

The easiest way to interact directly with LISTSERV is via LISTSERV's
World Wide Web interface. The Web "gateway" to LISTSERV is the NIH
LISTSERV Home Page (Figure 1). The address is:

[**http://list.nih.gov**](http://list.nih.gov/)

For those users who are familiar with using commands to communicate with
LISTSERV, e.g., to subscribe to a list, you can still do this. For more
information, please refer to Appendix B: User Commands.

![](media/image1.png){width="4.358333333333333in" height="3.2625in"}

**Figure 1: The NIH LISTSERV Home Page**

## The NIH "List of Lists"

An important part of the NIH LISTSERV website for general users of
LISTSERV is the NIH "List of Lists" (Figure 2). From the List of Lists,
you can (depending on the list settings) join or leave a list; modify
your subscriber options; post to a list; and browse the list archives.
To access the List of Lists, click the **Browse** button from the NIH
LISTSERV Home page. There are three ways to find a particular list: 1)
choose a letter from the alphabetic index; 2) type in a term or phrase
to search for and click **Go!**; or 3) simply scroll down---the list is
alphabetic. When you have found the desired list, click the list link.

If the desired list doesn\'t appear, the list owner may have designated
it as confidential (a setting that allows the list owner to hide it from
the List of Lists). You can still view a confidential list if you know
its exact name. To view a confidential list, click on the \"Access
unlisted links\" link directly under the alpha index. Type in the name
of the desired list in the "List Name" box, then click **Go!** to begin
the search. If you are prompted to log in, follow the steps. **NOTE:**
some lists have restricted access, and you may not be allowed to access
them even by logging in.

![](media/image2.png){width="4.116666666666666in" height="3.1in"}\
***Figure 2: The NIH List of Lists***

## Login and Passwords

Some LISTSERV user functions now require you to log in. Whether login is
required depends on the list settings. For example, if the owner of a
list has decided that only list subscribers may see the list archives,
LISTSERV will prompt you to log in to determine if you are a subscriber.
If login is required, the LISTSERV Login Screen appears (Figure 3).

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="4.2in" height="2.99375in"}\
***Figure 3: LISTSERV Login Screen***

To log in, you'll need a LISTSERV password. If you're already on the
LISTSERV Login Screen (it appears whenever you're prompted to log in),
click on the **[CREATE A LISTSERV PASSWORD]{.underline}** link. If
you're on the LISTSERV Home Page, click **For General Users**, then
click **Create a LISTSERV Password**. The "Create a LISTSERV Password\"
screen appears (Figure 4).

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="4.275in" height="3.23125in"}

**Figure 4: The \"Create a LISTSERV Password\" Screen**

Fill in your e‑mail address, and type in a password of your choosing.
(LISTSERV asks you to type it twice to protect against misspellings.)
Then click the **Create Password** button. LISTSERV acknowledges the
request onscreen and sends a request for confirmation via e‑mail.
**NOTE:** **before LISTSERV actually accepts your password, you must
confirm the request** (see next section).

When you use the web interface, LISTSERV "knows" you by the e‑mail
address with which you log in. Generally, your login address should be
the same as your subscriber address for the list you wish to access. If
you commonly use more than one e‑mail address, you may wish to create a
password for each address. (You may use the same password for multiple
addresses, if you wish.)

## Confirming a Request for Confirmation

To confirm the request for confirmation, bring up your e‑mail software.
(If you use more than one type of e‑mail software, choose the one at
which you receive mail at the address you used to create your LISTSERV
password.) You should find a request for confirmation from LISTSERV
(Figure 5) in your e‑mail Inbox within a moment or two.

![](media/image5.png){width="4.558333333333334in" height="3.55in"}\
***Figure 5: E‑mail Request for Confirmation***

There are two ways to confirm your subscription: by e‑mail reply, or by
web hyperlink.

**To confirm by e‑mail reply:** Press the reply button in your e‑mail
and type the word **OK** in the body of the reply. Leave the subject
intact. Send the message.

**To confirm by web hyperlink:** Find the text after the first paragraph
of the request for confirmation that reads, **"...point your browser to
the following URL:"**, followed by a web link. Click on the link to
confirm the command. This should bring up your browser window, and you
should see an acknowledgement that your new password has been accepted.

After confirming your password, press the **BACK** button in your
browser to return to the LISTSERV Login Screen. You should now be able
to log in using your new password. At this point, you should see the
main archive page for the list you have selected (Figure 6).

![](media/image6.png){width="4.933333333333334in" height="3.7in"}

**Figure 6: Main List Archive Screen**

## Browsing List Archives 

### What Are List Archives?

List archives are stored copies of all postings (messages sent) to a
list. They are usually saved in files containing a month's worth, or a
week's worth, of postings. The list owner decides whether archives
should be kept; how long they should be kept; and who may access them.

### Searching the Archives

To search messages in the list archives, click the **[Search the
archives]{.underline}** link on the main archive page for the desired
list (see Figure 6, above). The "Search the (list name) List" screen
appears (Figure 7).

Enter the relevant information for your search in the fields provided,
then click the **Start the search!** button at the bottom of the screen.
Note the highlighted terms on the search screen, such as **[Search
for:]{.underline}** and **[Substring search]{.underline}**. These are
links to online help topics. If a feature on the search screen is
unclear, click on the link to read more about the feature.

![](media/image7.png){width="4.575in" height="3.43125in"}\
***Figure 7: Archive Search Screen***

When the search is complete, the results are displayed on the list\'s
"Search Results" screen (Figure 8). Results include the number of
matches, links to each of the matches found, and details about each
match (date, time, subject). If no matches are found, click the **Search
again** button to begin a new search.

![](media/image8.png){width="4.516666666666667in" height="3.39375in"}\
***Figure 8: Search Results Screen***

Click the link in the left column ("Item #") to view full text of each
message found in the search. The individual message is displayed, along
with origin links to other archived messages (Figure 9).

![](media/image9.png){width="4.558333333333334in" height="3.41875in"}

**Figure 9: Full Text of Archive Message**

### Sorting and Viewing Archive Messages

To sort and view archive messages within a particular time period, click
the link to the desired time period on the main list archive page (see
Figure 6, above). The archive file for that time period is displayed,
beginning with a table of contents that links to each individual message
in the archive (Figure 10). Clicking the table of contents link for each
message displays the link to the actual message, with the message\'s
total number of lines in parentheses, and the name of the message\'s
author.

![](media/image10.png){width="4.433333333333334in" height="3.325in"}

**Figure 10: Sample Weekly Archive File**

Five sorting options currently are available:

-   By Author

-   By Posting Date

-   By Topic

-   Chronologically

-   Most Recent First

Additionally, four views are available:

-   Show Author

-   Hide Author

-   Show Table of Contents

-   Hide Table of Contents

#### Sorting by Author

Clicking the **[By Author]{.underline}** link in the **Sort** menu
displays a message link table of contents listed alphabetically by the
author's last name. Clicking the link for the desired author displays
all that author's messages, listed alphabetically by subject, for the
specified time period.

#### Sorting by Posting Date

Clicking the **[By Posting Date]{.underline}** link in the **Sort** menu
displays a message link table of contents, grouped and listed by date
posted, with the most recently posted messages listed last. Clicking the
desired message link displays the message's full detail (Figure 11).

![](media/image11.png){width="4.683333333333334in" height="3.5125in"}

**Figure 11: Message Detail**

#### Sorting by Topic

Clicking the **[By Topic]{.underline}** link in the **Sort** menu
displays a message link table of contents listed alphabetically by
subject. Clicking the desired message link in the table of contents
displays message links listed alphabetically by subject (beginning with
the message link you clicked), with the author's name listed directly
below the message link. Clicking the message link from this view
displays the message's full detail.

#### Sorting Chronologically

Clicking the **[Chronologically]{.underline}** link in the Sort menu
displays a message link table of contents listed alphabetically by
subject. Clicking the desired message link from here displays a message
link list. Clicking a message link from the list displays the message's
full detail. From this view, you may select several links on the **Go
To** menu: [Previous/Next Message; Previous/Next by Same
Author]{.underline}; [Previous Page]{.underline} (for archive date);
[Back to Main List Page]{.underline}.

#### Sorting by Most Recent First

Clicking the **[Most Recent First]{.underline}** link in the **Sort**
menu displays a message link table of contents listed alphabetically by
subject. Clicking the desired message link from here displays a message
link list. Clicking the message link from this view displays the
message's full detail. From this view, you may select several links on
the **Go To** menu[: Previous (more recent) Message/Next (less recent)
Message; Previous (more recent) by Same Author/Next (less recent) by
Same Author]{.underline}; [Previous Page]{.underline} (for archive
date); [Back to Main List Page]{.underline}.

#### Show Author

Clicking the **[Show Author]{.underline}** link in the View menu
displays links to posted archive messages (by subject), showing the
author's name.

#### Hide Author

Clicking the **[Hide Author]{.underline}** link in the View menu
displays links to posted archive messages (by subject), without showing
the author's name.

#### Show Table of Contents

Clicking the **[Show Table of Contents]{.underline}** link in the View
menu displays links to posted archive messages, along with a table of
contents for each message (by subject), either with or without the
author's name visible.

#### Hide Table of Contents

Clicking the **[Hide Table of Contents]{.underline}** link in the View
menu displays links to posted archive messages without a table of
contents, either with or without the author's name visible.

### Browsing the Archives of Non-NIH Lists

L-Soft International, the owner of the LISTSERV technology, maintains a
global Website called CataList. To search archives of lists outside of
NIH, find your list on the CataList site, then either browse the
available notebook archives by clicking on the various links, or choose
"Search the Archives" to bring up a search page. (NOTE: you will only be
able to access archives designated for public access by the list owner.)
Other search sites for mailing lists also exist. To link to CataList or
other search sites, point your Web browser at the NIH LISTSERV Home Page
and click on **Mailing List Search**.

## Joining or Leaving a LISTSERV List Using the Web Interface

To join or leave a list, first click the **[Join or leave the list, or
update options]{.underline}** link (Figure 12) from the main Archives
screen for the list

![](media/image12.png){width="4.55in" height="3.4125in"}

**Figure 12: Main List Archive Screen**

The **Join or leave the *(list name)* list** screen appears (Figure 13),
displaying the user subscription form. Enter your e‑mail address and
your name, then select the list you want to join or leave. Select any
one of the following options:

-   Join the list

-   Leave the list

-   Leave all the lists

![](media/image13.png){width="4.55in" height="3.4125in"}\
***Figure 13: \"Join or Leave the List, or Change Options\" Screen***

Select a Subscription type by clicking one of the following radio
buttons:

-   Regular (default)

-   Digest (traditional)

-   Digest (MIME format)

-   Digest (HTML format)

-   Index (traditional)

-   Index (HTML format)

Select a Mail header style by clicking one of the following radio
buttons:

-   Normal LISTSERV-style header (default)

-   LISTSERV-style, with list name in subject

-   LISTSERV-style, short

-   "Dual" (second header in mail body)

-   Sendmail-style

Select Acknowledgements by clicking one of the following radio buttons :

-   No acknowledgements

-   Short message confirming receipt (default)

-   Receive copy of own postings

Select a Miscellaneous item by clicking one of the following checkboxes:

-   Mail delivery disabled temporarily

-   Address concealed from REVIEW listing

When you have entered all information, click one of the following option
buttons:

-   Update options

-   Leave (list name)

-   Back to (list name) page

## Changing Your Personal Subscription Options

Once you are subscribed to a list, you can use the LISTSERV User Web
Interface to modify your subscription. Items that may be modified
include your subscriber name and e‑mail address, as well as your
personal options settings for Subscription type, Mail header style,
Acknowledgements, and Miscellaneous items (Figure 14). (Every subscriber
has such settings---although in most cases they're set to the default
settings for the list---and is entitled to modify them.)

To modify your settings for a given list, click the **[Join or leave the
list, or modify options]{.underline}** link from the main Archives
screen for the list (Figure 12, above). The \"**Join or leave the *(list
name)* list, or modify options\"** screen appears (Figure 13, above),
displaying the user subscription form. Click on the **[login with your
LISTSERV password]{.underline}** link in the second paragraph and follow
the instructions to log in. If you don't have a LISTSERV password,
you'll need to create one. For assistance, refer to the previous
section, "Login and Passwords," p. [4](#login-and-passwords).

Once you've successfully logged in, LISTSERV will display your
subscription options, subscriber name, and subscriber address for the
list (Figure 14). (You may need to scroll down to see these.) To change
your subscriber name or address, simply correct them onscreen. To alter
your option settings, click the radio button for the desired setting.
For more information on LISTSERV personal options settings, click on any
highlighted term onscreen to access online help.

When you have completed your modifications, click the **Update options**
button. A confirmation message will appear at the top of the screen, and
the subscription form will display the updated subscription option
settings.

Refer to Appendix B: "Modifying Your Personal List Settings," p.
[30](#modifying-your-personal-list-settings), for more comprehensive
information, including how to set personal options using e‑mailed
commands. Following are some general descriptions of various
subscription option settings.

![](media/image14.png){width="5.1in" height="3.825in"}

**Figure 14: Subscription Option Settings**

### Subscription type

#### Regular 

With a "regular" subscription, you receive individual postings
immediately, as they are processed by LISTSERV.

#### Digest

With a "digest" subscription, you receive larger messages (called
"digests") at regular intervals, usually once per day or once per week.
These "digests" are collections of individual list postings. Some lists
are so active that they produce several digests per day. Digests are a
good compromise between reading everything as it is posted and feeling
like the list is clogging your mailbox with a multitude of individual
postings.

There are three digest formats:

-   Digest (traditional), a text-only format

-   Digest (MIME format), a MIME format, which (with mail clients that
    understand MIME digests) "bursts" the individual messages out of the
    digest so that you can read them separately

-   Digest (HTML format), an HTML format, which requires HTML mail
    clients

#### Index

With an "index" subscription, you receive short "index" messages at
regular intervals, usually once per day or once per week. These
"indexes" show you what is being discussed on the list, without
including the text of the individual postings. For each posting, the
date, the author\'s name and address, the subject of the message and the
number of lines is listed. You can then download messages of interest
from the server (the index contains instructions on how to do that).

An index subscription is ideal if you have a slow connection and only
read a few hand-picked messages. The indexes are very short and you do
not have to worry about long download times. The drawback of course is
that you need to reconnect to order messages of interest from the
server.

There are two index formats:

-   Index (traditional), a plain text format

-   Index (HTML format), an HTML format with hyperlinks

### Mail header style

-   Full headers (default setting for new lists): Normal LISTSERV-style
    \"full\" mail header, containing Internet routing information, MIME
    headers, and so forth.

-   Subject headers: Normal LISTSERV-style full header, except that a
    "subject tag" is added to the subject line of mail coming from the
    list. If there is no subject tag defined in the list\'s
    configuration, the name of the list will be used. This is very
    useful for sorting and filtering mail.

-   IETF or Sendmail-style headers: an advanced option that selects
    Sendmail-style headers, i.e. an exact copy of the original, incoming
    mail header with the addition of a \'Received:\' line and of a
    \'Sender:\' field. Some technical people prefer this type of header.

-   Short headers (not recommended): LISTSERV-style, short, an advanced
    option with a header similar to the normal LISTSERV-style header
    except that Internet routing information and MIME headers are
    removed. (NOTE: this setting will cause problems with MIME
    attachments, which are the standard attachment format at NIH.)

-   "Dual" headers (not recommended): LISTSERV-style short header,
    followed by a second copy of the header inside the message body.
    This second header shows what list the message is coming from
    (\'Sender:\'), the name and address of the person who posted it
    (\'Poster:\'), the poster\'s organization, if present, and the
    message subject. Dual headers are helpful if your mail client does
    not preserve the original return e‑mail address. (NOTE: this setting
    will cause problems with MIME attachments, which are the standard
    attachment format at NIH.)

### Acknowledgements

-   No acknowledgements, in which LISTSERV will not send any
    acknowledgement at all when you post to the list. This is probably
    not a good setting unless you really do not want any feedback from
    LISTSERV as to whether or not your posting was received and
    distributed.

-   Short message confirming receipt, which typically is the default
    setting, although it can be overridden by the list owner. If you
    choose this setting, LISTSERV sends you a short message whenever you
    post to the list, confirming the distribution of your message and
    telling you how many people it was sent to.

-   Receive copy of own postings, a setting some people prefer over the
    short acknowledgement message. It tells LISTSERV to send you a copy
    of your own postings, so that you can see exactly how it appeared on
    the list (useful if you are behind an unreliable gateway or
    firewall).

### Miscellaneous

-   Mail delivery disabled temporarily, an option that toggles the
    receipt of mail from the list. You may want to disable mail delivery
    if you will be away from your mail for an extended period of time.

-   Address concealed from REVIEW listing, an option that conceals you
    from the list of subscribers shown by the REVIEW command. Note that
    the list owner and the LISTSERV administrator can always get the
    complete list of subscribers, regardless of this setting. Nowadays,
    most lists are configured so that only the list owner can see the
    list of subscribers, but some lists still allow list members to get
    a listing of all list subscribers. Select this option if you are
    concerned about your e‑mail address being viewed by others.

-   Topics, an option for lists with topics enabled (if the Topics:
    section of the form is not visible, topics are not enabled). This
    section allows you to subscribe or unsubscribe to all, some, or none
    of the available topics.

## Posting Messages to a List From the Web Interface

To post messages to a LISTSERV list via the web interface, click the
**[Post to the list]{.underline}** hyperlink from the Main Archive
Screen for the desired list. **The Compose a new message** screen
appears (Figure 15). Type the message's subject in the **Subject**
field. Type your name in the **Your name** field (the current user's
name may already appear in this field). Check the **Mail a copy of the
message to** **(user's e‑mail address)** check box if you wish to have a
copy of the message sent to your e‑mail address. Tab down to the message
box and begin composing your message.

![](media/image15.png){width="4.35625in" height="3.001388888888889in"}

**Figure 15: Compose a New Message Screen**

When the message is complete, click the **Send** button at the bottom of
the screen. A notice appears at the top of the **Compose a new message**
screen, confirming that your message has been successfully posted to the
desired LISTSERV list.

If you checked the box to send a copy of the message to your own e‑mail
address, it will appear in your mailbox shortly after the message is
posted to the list. Depending on your personal subscription options, you
may also receive a brief acknowledgement message that your message was
posted to the list.

**NOTE:** only plain (ASCII) text messages may be sent when posting from
the web. Attachments, special formatting, and message banners are lost.
Messages with attachments or special formatting, or which require a
message banner to be visible, must be posted from e‑mail. (Message
banners are \"boilerplate\" text attached at the top or bottom of all
list mail. They may be set up by the list owner. For further information
on this feature, please consult the L-Soft List Owner\'s Manual.)

**ALSO NOTE:** Many lists restrict posting to certain individuals or
groups. Depending on the list settings, you may be prompted to log in,
and/or you may not be allowed to post to the list.

# Other General User Functions

A number of other functions, especially designed for general users of
LISTSERV, are available via the LISTSERV Home Page. To access them,
click **For General Users** from the LISTSERV Home Page. The following
modified Home Page appears (Figure 16). Note that a drop-down list is
now visible under **For General Users**. Each of the items on the
drop-down list is a clickable link connecting you to a feature or
utility especially designed for general users of LISTSERV. Each item is
detailed in the following sections.

![](media/image16.png){width="4.4in" height="3.29375in"}\
**Figure 16. Functions for General Users**

## Instructions for General Users

To access instructions for LISTSERV general users, click **Instructions
for General Users** on the drop-down list. The "Instructions for General
Users" page appears (Figure 17).

![](media/image17.png){width="4.408333333333333in" height="3.30625in"}\
**Figure 17. Instructions for General Users**

The first section, entitled "The Basics," contains links to the *NIH
LISTSERV User's Guide*, which is written specifically for General Users
of the NIH LISTSERV Facility. You can browse the Guide online, or
download a copy for printing. (NOTE: If you want a printed copy, please
print out one of the downloaded versions, so that your copy is properly
formatted with page numbers, cross-references, etc. The online version
will not print as well.)

The second section, entitled "The Works," provides links to the *General
Users Guide to LISTSERV* written by L-Soft, the owners of the LISTSERV
technology. It is very thorough and, of course, authoritative. Most NIH
LISTSERV users will never need to access this information; however, it's
there if you wish to consult it.

The last item on the page is the NIH LISTSERV General User FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions Document). Hopefully, this is fairly
self-explanatory.

## Create a LISTSERV Password

This option is detailed above. See "Login and Passwords,
p. [4](#login-and-passwords).

## What Lists Am I On?

This feature lets you ask LISTSERV what lists you are subscribed to at
the address you supply. Login is required for this feature. If you do
not have a LISTSERV password, you will need to create one. See "Login
and Passwords, p. [4](#login-and-passwords).

To access the feature, click **What Lists Am I On?** on the drop-down
list. The LISTSERV Login screen appears (see Figure 3, above). When you
log in, LISTSERV will return the names of all lists to which you are
subscribed under the address with which you logged in, along with your
subscriber options for each list.

**NOTE:** You may be subscribed to other lists under one or more
alternate addresses, e.g., your NIH alias address. To find out if this
is true for you, log in using any other addresses you know about. You
will need to create a LISTSERV password, if you don't already have one,
for each alternate address you wish to query.

## Change My Subscriber Address

Use this feature to change your subscriber address on a single list, or
on all lists simultaneously.

To access the feature, click **Change My Subscriber Address** on the
drop-down list. The "Change My Subscriber Address" page appears (Figure
18).

![](media/image18.png){width="4.433333333333334in" height="3.325in"}\
**Figure 18a: Change My Subscriber Address**

**NOTE: Most people have more than one email address. You may wish to
repeat this procedure for each email address you have.**

Fill out the online form as follows:

***Your new address is working, and you are able to reply from that
address.***

Check "yes" if your new address is working. If it is not yet
operational, you will be asked to try your address change request again
later.

***Your old address is working, and you are able to reply from that
address.***

Check "yes" if you are still able to receive mail at your old address.
If mail sent to your old address is being ***forwarded*** to your new
address, check "no" here.

***You have a LISTSERV password for your old address (even if your old
address no longer works).***

Check "yes" if you know that you have a LISTSERV password for your old
address. If you do not, or you don't know if you do, check "no."

![](media/image19.png){width="4.308333333333334in" height="3.23125in"}\
**Figure 18b: Change My Subscriber Address (cont'd)**

***List Name (to make a global change, type \* in the listname
field):***

To change your address on a specific list, type the list name here. To
apply this change across all lists at NIH, type a star (**\***).

***Old Email Address:***

Type your old email address here.

***New Email Address:***

Type your new email address here.

***Submit Button***

When you have filled out the form completely, click **Submit**. You will
be notified immediately concerning the status of your request.

Depending on the information you provide, you may be required to log in.
If so, you will be given further instructions for how to proceed.

## Unsubscribe From All Lists

Use this feature to unsubscribe (sign off) from all NIH LISTSERV lists.

To access the feature, click **Unsubscribe From All Lists** on the
drop-down list. The \"Unsubscribe From All Lists\" page appears (Figures
19a and 19b).

Figure 19a: Unsubscribe From All Lists

Fill out the online form as follows:

***Subscriber Name***

Please fill in your full name.

***Subscriber Phone Number***

Please fill in your phone number (provide area code and full number if
outside of NIH).

***List all subscriber email addresses (e.g., Wylbur address, POP
account, Helix account, NIH alias address). You may enter up to five
addresses.***

Most NIH employees have more than one email address. Try to include any
other email addresses under which you might be subscribed.

***First Email Address***

You must supply at least one email address.

***Second - Fifth Email Address***

Supply any other email addresses under which you may be subscribed,
e.g., NIH alias address, Helix address, POP or IMAP account, Wylbur
Account, etc.

Figure 19b: Unsubscribe From All Lists

***If you are NOT the subscriber, please explain why you are making this
request (e.g., you are the email administrator and the user has left
NIH)***

If you are submitting this form on behalf of someone else, please state
your reasons for doing so, so that we can ensure the request is
appropriate.

The following questions should be filled out only if you are submitting
the form for someone else.

***Your Name (If different from above)***

Please fill in your full name.

***Your Phone Number (if different from above)***

Please fill in your phone number (provide area code and full number if
outside of NIH).

***Your Email Address (if different from above)***

Please fill in your email address.

***Submit Button***

When you have filled out the form completely, click **Submit**. You
should see an onscreen acknowledgement that your request was submitted.
Since the LISTSERV Administrators must approve and process your request,
there may be a delay before the request is carried out. You will know
that you have been unsubscribed from a list when you receive one or more
acknowledgement messages from LISTSERV.

# For Further Information

For further information concerning LISTSERV at NIH, please consult the
NIH LISTSERV Home Page at the following URL:

[**http://list.nih.gov**](http://list.nih.gov/)

List owners should also consult the related document, *NIH LISTSERV
Facility List Owner's Guide*. It contains the information necessary to
create, maintain, and monitor lists on the NIH LISTSERV facility.

List owners may also consult with the LISTSERV Administrators online by
sending e‑mail to:

**listmaster@list.nih.gov**

If you are still experiencing difficulty, please contact the CIT
Technical Assistance and Support Center (TASC) at 301-594-6248 and ask
for LISTSERV support.

# Appendix A: Sending Mail To A List Via E‑mail

There are two ways to send mail, or \"post\" to a list: sending the
message from the LISTSERV User Web Interface, or via e‑mail. Posting
from the Web Interface is detailed in "Posting Messages to a List From
the Web Interface," p.
[18](#posting-messages-to-a-list-from-the-web-interface). For
convenience, following are instructions for posting to a list via
e‑mail.

**NOTE:** You must use the e‑mail method of posting to the list if you
wish to include attachments with your message. (At present, the web
interface accommodates only plain text.)

## Posting Via E‑mail

From your e‑mail software, address an e‑mail message to

***listname*\@list.nih.gov**

(substitute the name of the list for ***"listname"*** in the address).
In the body of the e‑mail, type the message to be posted. For example,
if you were sending a message to the "TLC-L" list at NIH LISTSERV
facility, you would send your mail to:

**tlc-l@list.nih.gov**

Mail sent to the list is received by LISTSERV and distributed to all
list subscribers (unless they have set the NOMAIL option for that list).

Sending mail to a list should not be confused with sending commands to
LISTSERV, which is described in "Sending Commands To LISTSERV," Appendix
B, p. [28](#sending-commands-to-listserv).

## Sending an E‑mail Message to the List Owner

There may be occasions when you wish to send e‑mail to the owner of the
list. You can do so, even if you don't know who it is, by using the
following formula. Address an e‑mail message (substituting the name of
the list for "***listname***") to:

***listname*-request@list.nih.gov**

Type the message as usual, and send. LISTSERV will automatically route
your message to the list owner.

# Appendix B: User Commands

## Sending Commands To LISTSERV

Most common user functions, such as joining and leaving a list, changing
subscriber options, and viewing list archives, are easily performed via
LISTSERV's new User Web Interface. Such functions were formerly
performed via e‑mailed commands to LISTSERV. Of course, e‑mailed
commands still work, and users who are familiar with e‑mailing commands
to LISTSERV may continue to do so.

LISTSERV accepts a variety of commands from users. LISTSERV commands may
be used to subscribe to a list, to request information or help from
LISTSERV, to unsubscribe, etc. Sending commands to a list should not be
confused with sending mail to a list, which is described in the previous
section, "Appendix A: Sending Mail To A List Via E-mail."

To send commands to LISTSERV, address an e‑mail message to:

**listserv@list.nih.gov**

Type the command(s) in the body of the e‑mail message. Each line is
treated as a separate command. Multiple commands may be sent in a single
e‑mail message. However, if LISTSERV encounters an invalid command, any
commands that follow will not be executed. The subject line is ignored.

## Notational Conventions for Commands

***Italics*.** Italics are used to indicate that something is to be
filled in, and not taken literally. For example, if you see the notation
*full_name*, you should replace it with a name. For example, if the
appropriate name for you was John Doe, you would enter John Doe, **not**
full_name.

**\< \>** Enclosing something between "\<" and "\>" indicates it is
optional and does not have to be included, as in:

> *full_name* = first_name \<middle_initial\> surname
>
> In the above example, the full_name and surname are required, but the
> middle_initial is optional.

**\|** A "\|" indicates a choice between two or more options. For
example:

Editor-Header= Yes\|No

> means that Editor-Header requires an answer of either Yes or No.

**CAPS** The minimum acceptable abbreviation of a command is shown in
UPPERCASE letters.

## Common LISTSERV Commands

This section lists the most common LISTSERV user commands. Commands are
listed in alphabetical order under each sub-section.

### Subscribing and Unsubscribing

**SUBscribe\|SIGNUP** *listname* *full_name*

Use the SUBscribe command to subscribe to a list. You will be
automatically added to it if the list is open to the public. Depending
on how the list is set up, your request may be forwarded to the list
owner for approval, or it may be ignored by LISTSERV. It is not
necessary to supply your full name if you have already signed up for
another list on the same server. The name you provided on your first
subscribe command will automatically be used for the new subscription.
Also, once you are subscribed, you can issue a subscribe command to
correct or change your name, regardless of whether the list is open to
the public.

UNSubscribe\|SIGNOFF \<*options*\>

Use UNSUBSCRIBE to cancel your subscription to the specified list. This
is the counterpart of the SUBscribe command. Note that you can
unsubscribe from any list to which you are subscribed, whether you
subscribed to the list yourself or were added to it by the list owner.

Valid options:

*listname* from the specified list

\* from all lists on that server

\* (NETWIDE from all lists in the network

## Asking for Information

**LISTS** \<options\>

The LISTS command lets you find out what lists are available, both at
NIH and elsewhere. LISTSERV will respond by sending a list of lists via
return\
e‑mail. The following options may be used:

Valid options:

(no option) local lists only, one line per list, returned in a file

Detailed local lists, detailed information returned in a file

Global "xyz" all known lists whose name or title contains "xyz", one
line per list, sent as a (LARGE!) file

**QUERY** \<*options*\>

The QUERY command displays your list subscription options for the
specified list. Used with the \* option, it tells you all the lists to
which you are subscribed. Please refer to the SET command description
for more details on the meaning of these options.

Valid options:

*listname* lists your personal settings for the specified list

\* lists your personal settings for all lists to which you are
subscribed\
(on the server being queried)

**REView** *listname*

The REVIEW command sends you the detailed information about the
specified list, including the list of subscribers, if the list owner has
made that information public. Private lists cannot be reviewed by users
who are not subscribed to the list. However, the header of the list
(without subscriber information) will still be sent to you even if you
are not authorized to review the list.

## Modifying Your Personal List Settings

**SET** listname \<options\>

The SET command allows you to alter your personal settings for a
specific list. If you wish, you may specify multiple options in a single
command, as long as the command does not wrap to a second line. Previous
settings will be retained unless specifically changed.

Valid options:

Mail/NOMail toggle receipt of list mail\
ACK/NOACK/MSGack acknowledgements for postings\
CONCEAL/NOCONCEAL hide yourself from REVIEW\
REPro/NOREPro receive/don't receive a copy of your own postings\
DIGest/NODIGest receive postings in digest format\
INDex/NOINDex receive postings in index format

Options for mail headers of incoming postings (choose one):

FULLhdr "full" mail headers\
IETFhdr Internet-style headers\
SHORThdr short ([default]{.underline}) headers\
DUALhdr dual headers, esp. useful for MS Mail users\
SUBJECThdr "full" headers; list name inserted in subject line

Mail/NOMail indicates whether you want to receive mail from this list or
not. "Mail" is the [default]{.underline}, of course. (NOMail is a good
choice for users going on extended leave who don't want a full mailbox
on their return.)

ACK/NOACK determines whether you receive an e‑mail acknowledgement of
your postings from LISTSERV. ACK indicates that you wish to receive an
e‑mail acknowledgement when you post to the list. NOACK directs the
server not to send out any acknowledgement.

CONCEAL/NOCONCEAL hides/unhides the user's name and e‑mail address from
the REVIEW command.

REPro/NOREPro controls whether or not the subscriber will get a copy of
his or her own posts back from the list after they are processed.

DIGest/NODIGest causes the subscriber to receive all messages
consolidated into one large posting per digest cycle (usually per day)
rather than as multiple individual messages. A good solution for very
busy lists.

INDex/NOINDex causes the subscriber to receive only one posting per
digest cycle containing only an index of subject topics for all messages
during that cycle. Similar to DIGEST; also a good solution for busy
lists.

## Other User Commands

**REGISTER** \<options\>

The REGISTER command registers your name with LISTSERV. (LISTSERV
associates the name with your e‑mail address.) Once you register with
LISTSERV, you need not specify your name to subscribe to a list, as long
as your e‑mail address doesn't change.

Valid options:

*full_name* tell your name to LISTSERV

OFF make LISTSERV forget your name

# Appendix C: General User FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

## How do I find out what lists are available at NIH?

Point your browser at the NIH LISTSERV Home Page at
***http://list.nih.gov*** and click \"Browse\" to see the NIH "List of
Lists." You can search for a list by keyword, or browse alphabetically.

## I can\'t find a particular list on the NIH Lists of Lists. I know the list exists. Why isn\'t it there?

There are a couple of possibilities. The list may be confidential,
meaning the list owner has decided to hide the list from public view.
Confidential lists do not appear on the List of Lists. However, if you
know the exact name of the list, you can view the list web page, if it
has one (not all lists do, by the way). Click the \"Access unlisted
lists\" link near the top of the List of Lists (it\'s just underneath
the alphabetic index). Type in the exact name of the list in the \"List
Name\" field, and press the GO button.

If you still cannot find your list, there are two likely reasons: 1) you
are misspelling the list name, or 2) the list does not have archives,
and therefore does not appear on the website. If you really get stuck,
contact the LISTSERV Administrators at <listmaster@list.nih.gov>.

## How can I find mailing lists on a specific topic?

On the NIH LISTSERV site, there is a search tool right at the top of the
List of Lists. The search tool lets you look for specific keywords in
the list name or list description.

In addition, there are a number of sites on the Web that allow you to
search for mailing lists, not just at NIH but all over the world. We
have links to several of them on the NIH LISTSERV Home Page. Point your
browser at the NIH LISTSERV Home Page at ***http://list.nih.gov*** and
click \"Mailing List Search Sites.\" You will be connected to a page of
links to search sites for mailing lists all over the world.

## How do I subscribe to a LISTSERV list?

Send e-mail to [**listserv@list.nih.gov**](mailto:listserv@list.nih.gov)
with the following text in the message body:

**subscribe *listname your name ***

where ***listname*** is the name of the list you wish to subscribe to,
and ***your name*** is your name. (LISTSERV will get your e-mail address
from the \"From:\" address of your e-mail message.)

## How do I unsubscribe from a LISTSERV list?

To unsubscribe from a list, send e-mail to
[**listserv@list.nih.gov**](mailto:listserv@list.nih.gov) with the
following text in the message body:

**unsubscribe *listname***

where ***listname*** is the name of the list.

## How do I send mail to a list?

To send mail, or \"post,\" to a list, address your e-mail message to:

***listname*\@list.nih.gov**

where ***listname*** is the name of the list to which you wish to post.

## Help! I\'m trying to unsubscribe from a list, but LISTSERV is telling me I\'m not subscribed. I\'ve been getting mail from that list for years. What\'s wrong?

Most NIH email users have multiple \"synonymous\" email addresses. You
may think you\'re subscribed under a particular address when in fact you
are subscribed under a different one. Or, your e-mail address may have
changed since you subscribed. This can cause LISTSERV not to
\"recognize\" you when you make a request.

Your best bet is to contact the list owner and ask for assistance. Send
e-mail to:

***listname*-request@list.nih.gov**

(where ***listname*** is the name of the list).

## How do I stop my mail while I\'m away from my office?

Send e-mail to **listserv@list.nih.gov** with the following text in the
message body:

**set *listname* nomail**

To restart your mail, send the following message:

**set *listname* mail**

## My email address has changed. How do I update it?

To change your address on a specific list, drop an email to the list
owner at ***listname*-request@list.nih.gov** and ask for assistance.

To change your address on all NIH lists, point your browser at the [NIH
LISTSERV Home Page](../../../../../../../../) and click \"For General
Users,\" then click \"Change My Subscriber Address\" and fill out the
online form.

## I subscribed to a list and I\'m being inundated with mail. I\'m interested in the list and don\'t want to unsubscribe. Any suggestions for lightening the load?

Send e-mail to **listserv@list.nih.gov** with the following text in the
message body:

**set *listname* mail digest**

LISTSERV will consolidate the mail from that list into a single large
message, usually once a day. You can then check the list of topics at
the beginning of the message, or use the \"find\" command of your e-mail
software to search for specific terms.

## Why do I keep seeing mail from people on my list who are trying to unsubscribe?

That\'s because people confuse LISTSERV\'s address with the list
address. To send mail to everyone on a list, address it to
***listname*\@list.nih.gov** (where ***listname*** is the name of the
list), or post from the website. To send a command to LISTSERV (such as
a request to unsubscribe from a list), address it to
***listserv@list.nih.gov***.

## Why did everyone on the list see a reply that I intended to be personal?

Some lists are set so that when you hit the reply button, your response
automatically goes to the list. Next time you press the reply button,
check the \"To:\" line of your response to see where it\'s going to be
sent. If necessary, delete the \"To:\" address and type in the e-mail
address of your intended recipient.

## I sent an email message to several LISTSERV lists at once, but I only got one copy. I\'m subscribed to all of the lists. What happened? 

Chances are that you\'re seeing the effect of a recent change in how the
NIH Microsoft Exchange system processes email. Microsoft recently added
a filter designed to detect and eliminate \"duplicate\" messages.
Here\'s how it makes your messages seem to disappear:

An email message is posted to several lists simultaneously. Joe is
subscribed to several of the lists, and has an NIH Exchange account.
Since Joe is subscribed to several of the lists, LISTSERV addresses
several copies of the message to Joe, which are received by the NIH
Exchange server. Since all the copies originated from the same message,
they have the same Message ID (a unique identifier that is assigned to
the message by the originator\'s email software or email server). The
Exchange server \"sees\" these as duplicate copies, and forwards only
the first one to Joe, discarding the rest. From the point of the
Exchange server, this eliminates unnecessary load. Unfortunately, if
you\'re the person \"expecting\" several copies of the message in order
to verify that it went out properly, it can be unnerving.

This effect may be visible to recipients of list mail who use MS Outlook
or MS Exchange email clients, or an email client (such as IMAP) that
uses the NIH Exchange Hub as its mail server. Other mail systems may
perform the same sort of duplicate elimination, although we are not
aware of any at NIH that do. To make sure that the message actually
reached all the lists to which it was sent, check the list archives.

Finally, it\'s worth noting that not all mail systems assign message-IDs
to messages they send. So some duplicate messages from multiple lists
(i.e., those sent from mail systems that don\'t assign message-IDs) may
still appear in Exchange.

## How can I contact the owner of a list?

To contact the owner of a list, send e-mail to
***listname*-request@list.nih.gov** (where ***listname*** is the name of
the list), and ask for assistance.

## I have a question you didn\'t answer here. Where can I get more help?

You can contact the NIH LISTSERV Administrators at
<listmaster@list.nih.gov>.

###