Internet > Mailing
Lists > Use >
Mailing List Use - Subscribe
| The general format to subscribe to a mail list is to find the address
reflector and append the string -REQUEST to the mailbox name (not the
host name). For example, if you wanted to take part in the mailing
list for NSFNET reflected by NSFNET-INFO@MERIT.EDU, one sends a
request to NSFNET-INFO-REQUEST@MERIT.EDU. - E. Krol; The Hitchhikers Guide to the Internet; RFC 1118; Sept. 1989 |
You
typically join a mailing list by sending a subscription email to the list
server,
although more and more lists have web interfaces as well. The list server will
then send you back a welcome email with information about and how to use
the list.
Sometimes you will receive a confirmation message to which you must reply as
a
security measure to confirm that it is really you requesting subscription.
On
moderated lists you will often receive an email that says that your subscription
request has been sent to a list moderator who will check and then hopefully approve
your subscription in person.
The subscription commands and options differ
slightly depending on whether they are run by Listserv,
Majordomo, or Listproc.
However, the basic subscription command is the same for most lists -- put the
following command in the body of an email, and send it to the list administration
address:
subscribe listname
You will
get one or more messages in response to your subscribe command, describing other
list server commands, instructions for posting and replying to posts, and the
subject of discussion on the list. It is important to save these emails as described
in managing mailing lists.
A few mailing
lists require subscription commands to be placed on the subject line, but most
completely ignore the subject line. Some people copy their subscribe commands
into the subject line anyway just to be on the safe side, and so that the email
will have a meaningful subject line.
