MSU List Server
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- What types of lists are available?
General Lists -- Lists are managed by the list owner.
Targeted Lists -- Members are determined by a query and are updated nightly from the database. Examples might be lists of students by major, by class, etc.
ID Lists -- Members are subscribed by ID and the names and email addresses are updated nightly from the database.
Class Roll Lists -- Members are updated nightly from the database for all sections with enrolled students.
- How do I request a new list?
Just send an email message to MSU List Help. We'll send a message back that leads you through the required items and you can add other details as necessary. We'll create the list and email the full instructions back to you.
- How does a list owner manage a list?
The list owner commands (add, remove, review, and quit) are emailed directly to the list server (not the list) in plain text. Replies from the list server are emailed back to the owner. Read the full instructions for all the details.
- Does the name need to be included in a list entry?
No, technically it does not as the list server only cares about the email addresses. However, you are doing a favor to yourself as the list owner and other subsequent list owners by including the name as it makes maintenance of the list much easier. A list of names is easier to edit than a list of email addresses.
- Can the add, remove, and review commands be simplified?
The basic add, remove, and review commands contain the list name. If you are making updates to a single list, the commands can be simplified by using the alternate command interface to the list server which allows you to omit the list name on each command.
- I've included the names -- can a list be sorted?
Yes. The list server does not care what order the list is in, so you can simply request a review of the list and sort it with a command line utility or within a word processor or spreadsheet program. If on occasion you have a big list and would like to have it sorted on the server, just ask.
- Can large numbers of names and addresses be bulk loaded into a list?
Yes. Just send the names and addresses along with your request. The preferred format is tab-delimited text, but an Excel spreadsheet is acceptable. Please be kind and remove any columns except the name and address columns. Also, make sure you say whether you are replacing the current list or appending to the list.
- What if an add command wraps to the next line?
- The message composition window needs to be wider or set to wrap at a higher column, or the alternate command interface to the list server may be used to make the commands shorter.
- Can the messages to a list be archived?
Yes. Archiving can be requested when a list is created or anytime thereafter. One message file is created per month. There is a fairly primitive email command interface that can be used to retrieve the message files.
- How can I send a message to the owner of a specific list?
Send an email message to owner-listname@listserv.montana.edu.
- Can HTML or other rich text messages be sent to a list?
Yes. Unless the list has been restricted to "text only" messages, any message type can be sent to a list. The restriction on plain text messages only applies to commands being sent to the list server.
- Can attachments be sent to a list?
Yes. Unless the list has been restricted to "text only" messages, any attachment type can be sent. If an attachment is large or there are a considerable number of list members, consider putting the attachment on the Web and sending a link instead.