UI Getting Started Guide for LISTSERV
- Should I select LISTSERV® or a Hawkmail list?
- I forgot my password. How do I get a new one?
- How can I set my personal web page preferences?
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LISTSERV keeps asking me to login again. Why? (Don't use the Back button.)
What are mailing lists?
Mailing lists allow a person to send an e-mail message to one address and have it automatically forwarded to many e-mail addresses.
What is LISTSERV®?
LISTSERV by L-Soft is e-mail list management software. LISTSERV offers a variety of e-mail list types including announcement-only and discussion groups (moderated or unmoderated).
LISTSERV allows list owners to maintain their lists through e-mail or web-browser interfaces. List subscribers can control personal list settings through a simple web interface. The list archives are available online. List subscribers can read and send messages via e-mail or through the web interface.
Listserv offers the following:
- Moderated lists.
- Allows users to self-subscribe or unsubscribe.
- Allows non-University of Iowa subscribers.
- Provides online archives.
- Allows you. the list-owner, to administer the list yourself.
- Provides a facility to advertise your list publicly.
Hawkmail lists can be automatically generated and are ideal for many departmental lists.
See Best Practices - Tips and Recommendations for Creating Lists in Hawkmail for a more detailed comparison of LISTSERV and Hawkmail lists.
All LISTSERV communication must abide by The University of Iowa's Acceptable Use Policy.
What features does LISTSERV® offer?
The many features of LISTSERV® are summarized at LISTSERV® features by L-Soft.
Should I select LISTSERV® or a Hawkmail list?
Hawkmail lists can be automatically generated and are ideal for many departmental lists.
Listserv is preferable if you need any of the following:
- A moderated list.
- Allow users to self-subscribe or unsubscribe.
- Have non-University of Iowa subscribers.
- Want online archives.
- Administer the list yourself.
- Want to advertise your list publicly.
See Best Practices - Tips and Recommendations for Creating Lists in Hawkmail for a more detailed comparison.
How do I use the web interface? or
I forgot my password, how do I get a new one?
- Go to the LISTSERV Home Page. <http://list.uiowa.edu>
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Many LISTSERV selections do not require a login.
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The first time you see the screen Login Required you will have to create a LISTSERV E-mail Address and Password.
- Click Get Password.
Or click get a new LISTSERV password.
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On the Register LISTSERV Password screen enter your E-mail Address and desired Password
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The e-mail address you enter on the web form must match the From: address supplied by your e-mail system, usually firstname-lastname@uiowa.edu. If you are unsure, send yourself an e-mail and check the From: line before filling in this section.
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LISTSERV allows you to set one password for all of your lists. The password can be up to 260 characters in length and contain the characters A-Z 0-9 $#@_-?!|%
This password is unique to LISTSERV, i.e., it is not synched with your e-mail password, your Active Directory password, or your Novell password. -
Once you enter the required information, click Register Password.
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You will see the message "For your protection, the password will not be activated just yet (anyone could have completed this form using your e-mail address)."
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To activate your password, simply follow the instructions that have been e-mailed to you.
Please wait until you receive a message from LISTSERV saying "Your new password was registered successfully" before trying to use it with the WWW interface.
-
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Once your password has been registered, click Log In.
In the Login Required Window, enter your email address and password and select Log In.
- The first time you log in LISTSERV will display the LISTSERV Archives page, but with a different toolbar at the top - with more options.
- Don't forget to Log Out at the end of your session.
How can I set my personal web page preferences?
The web page preferences allow you to set things such as your default start page. To view or change your preferences:
- Click Preferences
in the upper right of the screen. - For more information click the Help Icon
associated with each preference.
LISTSERV keeps asking me to login again. Why? (Don't use the Back button.)
Using the Back button on your web browser can cause:
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LISTSERV to logoff your session prematurely or,
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Make it look like you are logged off when you actually just went "back" too many screens.
We recommend that instead of using the Back button in your web browser you:
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Use the navigation bar on top of the screen,
Getting Started | List
Subscribers
How do I find out what lists are available?
The most common way to find out about lists is from other reference materials such as journals or perhaps your professor provides you with the address of your class list.
Local, non-confidential LISTSERV lists may be browsed on the web.
- Go to the LISTSERV Home Page. <http://list.uiowa.edu>
Some list owners have elected to keep their listname confidential. If you know the listname and do not see it in the Online Mailing List Archives,
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Go to the Access Unlisted Arcives.
- Enter the name of the list in the Access Unlisted Archives
field and click Submit.
.
You can also obtain the list of local, non-confidential lists via e-mail:
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Address an e-mail message to listserv@list.uiowa.edu
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Put the following in the body of the message:
lists
Getting Started | List Subscribers
How do I subscribe to (join) a list?
The easiest way is to use the web interface.
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Go to the LISTSERV Home Page. <http://list.uiowa.edu>
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Select the list you wish to subscribe to (join) or unlisted archive form
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Select Join or Leave the list
- Change settings as desired (most often you will just accept the default settings).
- Select the Join listname at the bottom of the screen.
The e-mail address you enter on the web form must match the From: address supplied by your e-mail system, usually firstname-lastname@uiowa.edu. If you are unsure, send yourself an e-mail and check the From: line before filling in this section. (Note: The e-mail address field is not displayed if you login to LISTSERV.)
Use the drop-down arrow in the List Name: field to Switch to Another List.
You can also subscribe (join) or unsubscribe (sign-off) via e-mail:
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Address an e-mail message to listserv@list.uiowa.edu
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Put the following in the body of the message:
subscribe listname yourfirstname yourlastname
In both cases above a confirmation message will be sent to your e-mail address asking you to confirm your subscription request. You must reply to this message with ok in the body of the message. Leave the subject unchanged.
Getting Started | List Subscribers
How do I post (send messages) to a list?
Once you have subscribed to the list, you can
post messages to the list through the web interface or by sending e-mail
to
listname@list.uiowa.edu.
To use the web interface:
- Go to the LISTSERV Home Page. <http://list.uiowa.edu>
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Select the list you wish to post to.
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Select the Post New Message
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You may be prompted to login.
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The Send Message window will appear.
- Fill in the information, select Send a copy of the message to yourself, and select Send.
Note: Lists can be set to:
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Public - Anyone can post to the list.
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Private - Only list members can send to the list.
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Editor - Messages will be reviewed by a moderator to be approved or denied. This is also used for "Announce-only" lists.
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Public, Auto-responder - The list simply responds with a set message.
Getting Started | List
Subscribers
How do I unsubscribe from (leave) a list?
To unsubscribe from (leave) a list, either use the web interface
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Go to the LISTSERV Home Page. <http://list.uiowa.edu>
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Select the list you wish to subscribe to (join) or unlisted archive form
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Select Join or leave the list
or via e-mail:
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Address an e-mail message to listserv@list.uiowa.edu
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Put the following in the body of the message:
signoff listname -
Do not include your name or e-mail address in the body of the signoff message.
Getting Started | List Subscribers
How can I filter LISTSERV messages?
My inbox is getting overloaded. Is there an easy way to automatically move (filter) these messages into another mailbox?
Yes. See How to Filter E-mail Messages.
How can I start my own list?
All University of Iowa faculty, staff, students, and recognized student organizations are eligible to start new lists with departmental approval.
Before requesting a new list, please:
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Review The LISTSERV policy statement.
- LISTSERV might not be your best solution!
Before requesting a LISTSERV list, please review the document Best Practices - Tips and Recommendations for Creating Lists in Hawkmail
Next:
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Review the New List Request Form Help before filling in your application. This document contains listname recommendations and other important information.
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Click Request for LISTSERV® Mailing List (requires Acrobat Reader) for the online application form.
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Fill in the required fields online.
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Print the application.
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Send the application to the address listes in the upper left corner of the application. (You can also fax it to: 335-5505).
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Or:
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Contact the ITS Customer Information Desk (384-0800).
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Ask them to send you a "Request for LISTSERV Mailing List" application in campus mail.
Note: If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click the below button to download it.
Where can I obtain more information?
Information, including all of the L-Soft manuals, is available at UI LISTSERV Documentation. Select Support Documentation.
