Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Date:         Thu, 1 Oct 1992 16:48:39 CDT
From:         Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
Subject:      Searching Listserv Message Databases

4 Messages, 128 Lines
*-----

From:         Birdie MacLennan <BMACLENN@UVMVM>
Subject:      Re: Searching listserv message databases

On Wed, 30 Sep 1992 16:20:06 CDT J. KEITH OSTERTAG said:
>We have found searching the PACS-L message archive/database to be very helpful
>for information on topics discussed in the past. Can anyone point to a list of
>other library related bitnet lists which can be similarly searched?
>
>Evidently not all bitnet lists are archived, and one must be subscribed to a
>particular list in order to search its message database.

Each BITNET LISTSERV site can send you a list of all the searchable database
archives it maintains.  To retrieve the list, send a 2 word e-mail message
to:  LISTSERV@<desired.node>   that reads:  DATABASE LIST.  You will then
be sent back a list of what LISTSERVs are searchable at that site.

Some LISTSERVs are set up so that anyone can search them (i.e., "public");
some are restricted to subscribers only (i.e., "private").  It depends on
the preferences of the listowner(s) or supporting institution ...

As far as I am aware, the listserver software authored by Anastasios
Kotsikonas that we are seeing more of from Unix/Internet sites does *not*
offer a database search capability for the lists that it supports (but
perhaps someone else knows differently??).

Birdie MacLennan            bmaclenn@uvmvm.bitnet
University of Vermont       bmaclenn@uvmvm.uvm.edu
*-----

From: Peter M. Weiss <PMW1@psuvm.psu.edu>
Subject: Re: Searching listserv message databases

You are correct, not all Bitnet (Revised Listserv) lists are stored
in notebook archives.  Some lists do require you to be a subscriber
(though you do NOT actually need to receive the list's distribu-
tions i.e., SET list NOMAIL NOFILE if you normally read thru NEWS or
are just surfing).

In rare cases, if the Bitnet site is also an Interent site, some
list's archives are even available thru anonymous FTP e.g. BIG-LAN,
ROOTS-L, though not necessarily on the same exact host that dis-
tributes the list.

The list that describes Listserv Database Search techniques is called
LDBASE-L (archives start at LOG9205) -- I'm a co-owner along with Phil
Endacott of UoKansas.

On a regular basis, library-related lists are posted to this list.
Here are some headers so that you can practice your listserv skills in
retrieving the entire document:

Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Date:         Fri, 18 Sep 1992 08:17:42 CDT
From:         Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
Subject:      Library-Oriented Conferences and E-Serials (Revised)

Library-Oriented Computer Conferences and Electronic Serials

By Charles W. Bailey, Jr.

--
Peter M. Weiss                     | not affiliated with psuvm.psu.edu|psuvm
31 Shields Bldg -- Penn State Univ.| "Connectivity is more than a Connection"
University Park, PA USA 16802-1202 | E. Michael Staman, _The Circuit_, Apr 92
*-----

From: STRAUSS@UNCA.BITNET
Subject: Re: Searching listserv message databases

Au contraire, mon ami--one does NOT have to be subscribed to a listserv
in order to search its files. BUT, the search terminology is so complex
that I would love for someone to explain it to me: you know, the
//DD
*=
etc. kind of stuff. I did it the other day (and it worked) but I have no
idea how the search related to the information desired--I just copied
it from someone's message.  After seeing "this weird stuff" from time to time,
I decided to try to figure out what it meant.

Bob Strauss
*-----

From: JUDITH HOPKINS AT SUNY BUFFALO <ULCJH@UBVMS.BITNET>
Subject: Re: Searching listserv message databases

I would start with the list of Library oriented electronic conferences
that Charles Bailey issues to subscribers of PACS-L at the beginning of
each month; a new version should be out any day now.   If your attempt
to search a particular list's archive fails because you are not a
subscriber, it takes just a few seconds to subscribe and you can then
just as easily unsubscribe after you have completed your search.  I
will append my standard instructions for how to subscribe to lists at
at the end of this message.

The ability to search the archives of the various lists is a great help
to me in my daily work.  I did two searches yesterday and have so far
done one this morning.

   To subscribe to any list, address a mail message to LISTSERV@<NODE>

   Leave the subject line blank

   The sole text of your message should read:
      Subscribe <listname> <Firstname> <Lastname>

Thus, to subscribe to Autocat which is located at node UVMVM and
assuming your name is Jane Doe,

Send a mail message to LISTSERV@UVMVM

Text of message: Subscribe AUTOCAT Jane Doe

To unsubscribe to a list send a mail message to LISTSERV@<NODE>
Unsubscribe <listname>  OR  Signoff <listname>
  Either version should work but some lists may prefer one over the other.
Do not include your name in this message.

   I hope this helps.

Judith Hopkins                            VOICE: (716) 645-2796
Technical Services Research and Analysis Officer
Central Technical Services                FAX:   (716) 645-5955
Lockwood Library Building
State University of New York at Buffalo   BITNET: ulcjh@ubvm (OR, ubvms)
Buffalo, NY  14260-2200              INTERNET: ulcjh@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU