Networking

NYU E-mail List Service

Alison Kraskey with David Ackerman

Many classes, student organizations, departments and people interested in any number of topics at NYU have already discovered that e-mail lists are an easy way to communicate with students or co-workers, as well as to hold discussions with other members of the NYU or Internet community at large.

Requesting a new list is easy. Simply go to www.nyu.edu/its/lists and fill out the list application form. Those using Netscape 3.0 and above or Internet Explorer 4.0 will see a JavaScript-enhanced form that uses pop-up help screens to answer your questions. Simply press the info icon. Those using other browsers get a non-JavaScript version of the form.

Two owners are required for each list. List ownership is open to all members of the NYU community. Students, however, must have a faculty sponsor for their lists.

List Options

Naming Your List

Generally, a list's name is a single word, followed by "@lists.nyu.edu" (e.g., a list about issues of ergonomics might be called ergonomics@lists.nyu. edu). List names may also contain multiple words separated by a hyphen (such as world-music@ lists.nyu.edu or cas-seniors@ lists.nyu.edu).

List Description

A brief and concise description helps to distinguish your list from other lists. This is especially important if your list is visible (see below).

Moderated Versus Non-moderated

A moderated list is one in which the list owner receives all submissions, and approves or rejects each message sent to the list. There are two types of moderated lists: "moderated-edit," which allows the list owner full editorial control over each posting; and "moderated-no-edit," where the owner simply approves or discards incoming messages. A non-moderated list is one where all postings are automatically redistributed to the list's subscribers.

Visible Versus Hidden

In the world of mailing lists, it is possible for people to send a request to a list server asking for a list of all the server's lists. You may choose to hide your list's existence from such queries. This option would be suitable for a class-specific list. If the aim of your list is to encourage an open exchange on a particular topic, you should choose "visible."

Subscriptions

Subscriptions to a list can be open, or they can be controlled by a list's owner. "Open" means anyone can subscribe to your list without needing your prior approval. Subscriptions are obtained by sending a message to listproc@lists.nyu.edu asking to be added to the list. If you choose to control your list, all subscriptions requests will be forwarded to the list owners for approval.

Who Can Post

The purpose of your list should guide you in making this selection. If the list is for discussions, you should choose either "Anyone Can Post" or "Only Subscribers Can Post," depending on how open you want the discussions to be. Normally, lists allow only subscribers to post. If the list is largely for announcements or is strictly informational, you may want to select "Only List Owners Can Post," but keep in mind that with this selection you and your co-owner will be responsible for all postings to the list.

An alternative to this option could be to have a moderated list, which would give you editorial control over postings.

List Owner Responsibilities

List owners are responsible for maintenance of their lists. This entails activities ranging from removing from their lists subscribers whose e-mail accounts are no longer valid to answering subscribers' questions. After the initial setup of a list, an owner can change many of the above options at any time by e-mailing commands to listproc@lists.nyu.edu. Manuals that detail the commands are provided to each owner. Reference material is also available on the Web at www.nyu.edu/its/lists/listproc.html.

List Activity at NYU

Currently, there are about 3,000 active lists, with a total of nearly 30,000 subscriptions. Each list has an average of about 100 subscribers, ranging from lists with only a few subscribers to one with over 1,500.

Some of the more active lists are telecom-cities@lists.nyu. edu, a discussion on the impact of technology and telecommunications on cities, and bananafish@lists.nyu.edu, a discussion on J.D. Salinger's work. The Global U site has international lists that cover such topics as African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, and International economic policies and politics. (Previously at http://www.nyu.edu/global/listservs.html)

For more information on starting or maintaining a list, contact listmaster@nyu.edu. [ C ]

Alison Kraskey is an information technology specialist in ACF's Information Services Group, and serves as NYU's Listmaster. David Ackerman is ACF's Associate Director for Information Services.
alison.kraskey@nyu.edu
david.ackerman@nyu.edu

Posted May 18,1998