Help Command Information
05/19/05

Lists are handled by a special software package designed to make the use and maintenance of a list require as little intervention by owner of the list as possible.  To this end, a number of commands are provided to allow people to do such things as add or remove themselves from a list or to see who else is on the list.  This page explains how to send commands to a list and details what commands are available. 
Commands are sent by email to a special address and NOT to the actual list.  The subject line of the email is ignored but it is useful to put something there to remind you what it was you are trying to do.  The command you wish to send is put as the text of the message.  The commands that can be sent are specified below.  Some commands require only one word while others require additional information to be provided.
   
Here are the details on using a list.
   

Where to Address the email

All commands are sent to the following address:
No longer in use  
  
What should be on the Subject Line

No subject information is required.  We suggest you put something there to indicate what command you are sending.  You may want to save it to use again later.

  
What should be in the actual message.
The chart below shows you what your choices are.  When you see listname, that means you must put the name of the list there.  When you see your_name , you must put your name there.
This is what goes in the message This is what it does
Help Get the general Help.  (this information)
Help     listname Get the Help for the specific List
List   Shows you the names of all the Lists
List       listname Shows you who is on each list
Subscribe       listname       your_name Adds yourself to a list
Unsubscribe    listname       your_name Removes yourself from a list.
  
Examples
To get the names of all the lists
TO:  No longer in use 
Subject:  Get all the lists so I can see what's what
List
     
To subscribe to a list
TO:  No longer in use
Subject:  Add me to the list
Subscribe       listname       your_name