This page answers frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding electronic mailing lists.
A1: A mailing list is a simplified way to send email to everyone in a group. It is just like using "CC" when you send email, except you only have to send mail to the mailing list, and it is automatically distributed to all participants (usually call "subscribers" or "members"). Each mailing list's administrator determines the list subscription policy, such as whether membership is restricted or open. The rules and procedures for joining a mailing list vary slightly depending on who's running the list. To subscribe, you'll often have to send an email to a special address, such as "majordomo@somesite.com" with the words "SUBSCRIBE listname" in the body of the email, where" listname" is the name of the list. Whoever told you about the list will provide instructions on subscribing. Many lists let you subscribe using your browser via the web, so you don't have to worry about how or where to send the email subscription request.
A2: When you subscribe to a list, you'll ordinarily receive further instructions. Usually, you send email to the list by emailing your message to the list, such as "listname@somesite.com". If you've already received an email from the list, you might simply be able to hit "reply to all" to reply to everyone on the list (it depends on how the list has been configured by the administrator.)
Q3: How do I send attachments, such as Word documents or JPEG photos to the list?
Sending attachments to a list is generally frowned upon. Click here for details and alternatives.A4:Just send email to that individual's email address, which has nothing to do with the centralized mailing list. You'll need that person's email address, just as you would their street address if mailing them a letter. It is easy to find their address from their own emails if they've sent email to you privately or to the list. Some mailing lists make it possible to retrieve a list of all subscribers, but most administrators keep that information confidential and inaccessible. Note that it is considered extremely rude in some cases to contact someone "off-list" (i.e., outside the list), so tread lightly.
A5:Sure. There are jillions. See liszt.com for a list of public lists on all manner of topics.
A6 Archives are a historical record of all emails that have been sent to a list in the past. You should search the archives, if they exist, before asking questions that someone else already asked and answered. If you don't know how to search the archives, ask the list administrator. Digests are usually issued daily and contain just those emails sent that day. Some people prefer to get one big email instead of many little ones, especially as some lists generate hundreds of emails a day.
A7: The rules vary across mailing lists, but the important ones are fairly basic.When in doubt, monitor a list for a few days to get the feel of it before sending any email to it. Limit your posts to the topic of the list, such as bird-watching. Off-topic [OT] posts are considered rude. Some people are nasty when they remind you of the rules. However, the rules help to maximize the utility of the list for all involved. See Etiquette for details.
A8: The volume (a.k.a. traffic) on lists vary dramatically. Some lists generate no mail for days, whereas others generate hundreds of emails every day. If you prefer digest mode, email the administator.
A9:Most administrators don't publicize that information in order to prevent spam or invasion of privacy. Some people send email to the list using alternate email addresses to prevent being easily identified. When in doubt, assume the world is watching, so don't send anything private to a list (even a so-called "private" list).
A10:A mailing list is much less of a bother than cc'ing individuals manually or trying to keep your address book up to date. There are many other benefits in using a list including:
A11: Some lists are run as a community resource, others as a dictatorship. In almost all cases, the mailing list administrator is benevolent even if they are a dictator. There may be some self-appointed etiquette czars on any list, but they are often not the official list-mom. When in doubt, ask, don't assume.
Q12: How do I protect myself from computer viruses?
A12: Click here for a discussion of viruses.
Q13: What are all these abbreviations I don't understand?
A13: Click here for a list of common email abbreviations.Click here for a list of common "emoticons."
administrator: the person who handles administrative duties such as adding and removing people from the list. The administrator also configures the list options to reflect the intended use of the list.
announcement list: a type of mailing list limited to announcements from the mailing list owner or administrator.
archive: a historical record of emails sent to a mailing list. Useful for latecomers or repetitive discussions, such as "Check the archives for detailed information on car seat safety tips."
digest: a daily summary of the day's emails (as opposed to getting individual emails during the day). Digests are most useful on lists that generate a lot of email each day.
discussion list (AKA discussion group): a type of mailing list in which all participants can send email to the list.
mailing list: a simplified way to send email to many people at once.
majordomo: software that manages mailing lists, although there are many others
moderator: the administrator who ensures that the list members follow list etiquette. A moderator may kick you off the list if you keep breaking the rules.
spam: unwanted, unsolicited email, usually commercial and/or pornographic in nature.
subscriber: a member of the mailing list, accorded certain privileges, such as sending email to the list (many lists reject email from non-subscribers)
post: noun, an email sent to the mailing list; verb, to send email to a mailing list; verb, to make something available in a public forum.
virus: an unwanted or damaging computer program that often transmits itself without your knowledge. A typical virus might delete files from your hard drive without your knowledge.