LSVQUICK MEMO February 1993
What is LISTSERV?
LISTSERV is a distribution list management package that runs on IBM
VM/CMS systems in the international NJE network (Bitnet/EARN). It allows
groups of computer users with a common interest to communicate among
themselves, while making efficient use of computer and network
resources. It makes it easy for even novice users to discover, join, and
participate in these interest group mailing lists. LISTSERV also
provides facilities for digesting and archiving of mail traffic, file
server functions, and database searches of archives and files.
Communicating with LISTSERV
Anyone who can send electronic mail to a Bitnet/EARN address can
participate in a mailing list and access other LISTSERV facilities, as
long as the message format is valid (according to the RFC822 standard),
and has a usable return address.
To use LISTSERV facilities, send electronic mail with your LISTSERV
commands to: LISTSERV@host-id where 'host-id' is the host computer's NJE
address (eg. TAUNIVM.BITNET) or its Internet domain name (eg.
VM.TAU.AC.IL). There may be some local variation on the format needed to
send mail to Bitnet or Internet addresses. Check with your local support
people.
More than one command can be sent to LISTSERV in the same mail message.
Each command must be on a separate line. LISTSERV will ignore the
"Subject: " line of the mail header.
For Bitnet/EARN users, interactive messages are the fastest and most
convenient way to send commands to LISTSERV, but bear in mind that
interactive messages only work when the links between your computer and
LISTSERV are up; if the message fails, you can always send your command
via mail. To send interactive messages from an IBM computer running
VM/CMS, the format is:
TELL LISTSERV AT node_id listserv_command
On a VAX VMS system, the format is:
$ SEND LISTSERV@node_id "listserv_command"
The LISTSERV command must be in quotes.
NOTE:
To join a list, you send a message with your SUBscribe command to
LISTSERV. To make an announcement to the members of a list, you send
mail to the list address. For example, to join the EARN Users Group list
(list name: EARN-UG, host site: IRLEARN), send a SUBscribe command to
LISTSERV@IRLEARN.BITNET. This can be done interactively, from VM:
TELL LISTSERV AT IRLEARN SUB EARN-UG Name Lastname
or from VMS:
$ SEND LISTSERV@IRLEARN "SUB EARN-UG Name Lastname"
or by mail, to LISTSERV@IRLEARN.BITNET, with the line:
SUB EARN-UG Name Lastname
in the text of the message.
To send a message to all list members, send mail to:
EARN-UG@IRLEARN.BITNET
LISTSERV Database Facilities
The archives of mailing lists, as well as certain other databases, can
be searched using LISTSERV's database facilities. To find out what
databases are accessible at a LISTSERV site send the command:
DATABASE LIST
To perform a database search, you send mail to LISTSERV containing a
"batch command job" with your database query. In addition, EARN/Bitnet
users on VM or VMS systems can access the database facilities
interactively via the LDBASE program.
For more details on the LISTSERV database facilities, send the command:
INFO DATABASE
LISTSERV Commands for General Users
CAPITAL letters indicate acceptable abbreviation; angle brackets: < >
indicate an optional parameter; vertical bar (|) indicates a choice of
parameters. Format of parameters is given at the end. There are two
basic versions of LISTSERV in use: "LISTEARN 1.3" and "Revised LISTSERV
1.7". The two versions differ only in certain command parameters.
Parameters marked with a (*) are for LISTEARN 1.3 only, those marked (x)
are available only in "Revised LISTSERV 1.7". To find out which version
is installed at the server you wish to use, send the command: SHOW
VERSion
List subscription commands
--------------------------
SUBscribe listname full_name Request to subscribe to a list
Change your name if already
subscribed
SIGNOFF listname | * <(NETWIDE> Remove yourself from a list
UNSubscribe or from all lists
SET listname | * <options> Alter your distribution options
for a given list
Mail/NOMail Toggles mailing from a list
DIGests(x)/INDex(x) Ask for an index or digest
rather than getting messages as
they are posted
Files/NOFiles Toggles files from a list
ACK/NOACK/MSGAck Sets acknowledgment sent for
mail that you send to the list
REPro/NOREPro Toggles copy-to-yourself of
the mail you send to the list
FULL/SHORT/IETF/DUAL(x) Toggles the type of mail header
FULL includes Message-ID:
DUAL shows poster in mail body
CONCEAL/NOCONCEAL Reveal/Hide yourself from the
"REView" command
TOPICS:(x) ALL Change topics you are subscribed
(+/-)topic to (add/remove one, replace list)
CONFIRM listname | * Renew your subscription
Informational commands
----------------------
Help Obtain a list of commands
Info <topic> Order LISTSERV documentation
Omit <topic> for a list of topics
List <options> Obtain a description of local
Detailed lists
Global </string> All lists worldwide or all
with 'string' in list name
or title
Query listname | * Review your distribution options
for a given list (or all lists)
File fn ft Get filelist info on file
RELEASE Show the version and who
maintains the server
REView listname <(options> Review the contents of a list
LOCal
Countries
Short
NOHeader
Msg
BY Name(x) Sort by lastname/firstname
SHOW Display requested information:
ADmin(*) nodeid Node administrators
ALIAS nodeid Node's Internet (or Bitnet) name
LINKs(x) nodeid BITNET links
NODE nodeid Node entry from BITEARN NODES
OWNer(*) list | * Owners of list(s)
PATHs(x) snode node1 <node2...> BITNET path between nodes
PEer(*) country LISTSERVs in given country
TRee(*) nodeid <depth> Network links of node
User(*) pattern Entries from LISTSERV's signup
file containing pattern (in name
or address)
VERSion Information on LISTSERV and
operating system version
File and filelist commands
--------------------------
AFD Automatic File Distribution
Functions requiring a password:
ADD fn ft <filelist <prolog>> Add file to your AFD-list.
DELete fn ft <filelist> Delete file(s) from your AFD-list
Functions not requiring a password:
List Displays your AFD-list
Query Synonym for AFD List
GET fn ft <filelist> Sends a list of people subscribed
to the file (for file owners)
FUI File Update Information
Functions requiring a password:
ADD fn ft <filelist> Add file to your FUI-list.
DELete fn ft <filelist> Delete file(s) from your FUI-list
Functions not requiring a password:
List Displays your FUI-list
Query Synonym for FUI List
GET fn ft <filelist> Sends a list of people subscribed
to the file (for file owners)
GET fn ft <filelist> Obtain the specified file
SENDme
GIVE fn ft <filelist> TO u@n Sends the file to the user
INDex <filelist> Sends you the desired FILELIST.
Same as GET xxxx FILELIST.
Other commands
--------------
MAIL any_listserv_command Force response via e-mail
PW ADD new_password Define yourself a password
CHange old_password new_password Change your LISTSERV password
DELete old_password Delete your LISTSERV password
REGister full_name Add or change your name in
LISTSERV's signup file.
Parameter description
---------------------
* = all lists
userid = Any valid RFC822 network address not longer than 80 characters
If omitted, the node defaults to the command sender's node
full_name = first_name middle_initial surname (*not* "userid at node")
For each command that causes the server to send you a file, a file
format option can also be specified by adding 'F=format' to the end of
the command. Acceptable formats are:
Netdata Card Disk Punch LPunch UUe
XXE HEX(*) BTOa(*) VMArc(*) EBCdic(*) Split(*)
VMSdump(x) MIME/text(x) MIME/Appl(x)
For example, to get the file PCPROG ZIP in XXE format the command is:
GET PCPROG ZIP F=XXE
The list of commands included in this document is not exhaustive.
Detailed documentation on LISTSERV, and related services, is available
from: LISTSERV@EARNCC.BITNET
For a list of available documents send the command: INDex DOC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document has been compiled and produced by the EARN Association.
Permission to copy all or part of this document without fee is granted
provided the copies are not used for commercial advantage and that the
EARN Association is cited as the source of the document.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document is available from: LISTSERV@EARNCC.BITNET
Send the command: GET filename
where the filename is either:
LSVQUICK PS (Postscript)
LSVQUICK MEMO (plain text)