Multimedia Training Kit

1
Multimedia Training Kit

• Introduction to Mailing Lists

2
Unit objectives

• By the end of this unit you will have a basic
  understanding of
• What mailing lists are
• The different types of mailing list
• Basic mailing list commands
• Usage guidelines
• How to find lists and evaluate their usefulness

3
What is a mailing list?

• Mailing list software automatically distributes
  messages sent to the lists e-mail address to
  everyone subscribed to the list
• E.g. a message sent to h-safrica_at_h-net.msu.eduw
  ill go to thousands of h-safrica subscribers

4
Types of mailing list

• Discussion lists
• Alerting services

5
List configuration

• Open / closed
• Moderated / unmoderated
• Reply to list / reply to original sender

6
Two types of address

• Administration (command processor)
• Subscribe, unsubscribe, get info
  filelistserv_at_h-net.msu.edu
• List name address
• Send message to all subscribersh-safrica_at_h-net.ms
  u.edu

7
Mailing list commands

• Vary from programme to programme
• Subscribe
• Unsubscribe
• Change setting
• Get info file
• Some programmes offer web interface
• You are talking to a computer, not a person!

8
Usage guidelines

• Keep the list's welcome message
• Don't set e-mail to RCPT or automatic reply
• Unsubscribe/suspend if you're going away
• Familiarize yourself with the "culture" of the
  list
• Formulate questions carefully
• Use the subject line intelligently
• DON'T WRITE ALL IN CAPITALS
• Don't attach files to messages
• Don't include the entire body of long messages in
  your reply
• Don't forward chain letters or virus warnings

9
Finding lists

• General directories of lists
• Specialized directories
• Organizational web sites
• Search engines

10
Multimedia Training Kit

• Introduction to Mailing Lists