ListProc at KU - Glossary

ListProc version 8.1a

Internet vocabulary relevant to lists

FAQ: Abbreviation for Frequently Asked Questions. An FAQ is a list of questions and answers often asked about a given subject. An FAQ for e-mail discussion lists might include general questions that all newcomers are likely to ask. It is considered good netiquette to avail yourself of the FAQ before asking the same old questions that dozens of newbies before you have asked. The FAQ can be stored as an archive or simply collected and maintained by one of the list members who posts it to the list occasionally for the benefit of new subscribers.
netiquette: Netiquette refers to the forms, manners and actions established by the Internet community as acceptable or required behavior in social interactions via e-mail. In other words, being polite to your fellow list subscribers. It is absolutely imperative that you familiarize yourself with the rules of netiquette before you launch headlong into participation in any sort of e-mail discussion list.
server: A computer that is connected to other computers and that has server software installed. Servers can serve many things such as email, documents, files, Usenet news, etc. In this context the server serves email via lists.

Discussion list terms

administrative address: The email address to which list commands, such as sub and unsub are sent. Do not confuse this with the list address, the email address to which messages for all subscribers should be sent.
archive: Many lists store all messages that have been sent to the list, usually in batches of one month at a time. In addition, documents that the members of the list consider important to have available (such as an FAQ) can also be stored. These stored files are known as archives. Archives can usually be retrieved by subscribers (sometimes this requires a password). Instructions on retrieving archives will usually be part of your welcome message or can be obtained from the list owner. Additional information about retrieving archives is available on the Common subscriber commands page.
archive password: An archive can be configured to have a password in order to ensure that their contents are available only to list participants. To access a password protected archive, you must obtain the archive password from the list owner.

digest: Many lists offer their subscribers the option of receiving all of the posts (messages) from one day as one message (a digest). Advantages of this include faster download time (some of the hidden header information from individual messages is not included in the digest), the ability to save the digest as a file and search for keywords using a word processor allowing you to read only those messages that are of interest, and the fact that all messages from one list are grouped together rather than interspersed with other email you receive throughout the day. The disadvantages are that unless your email reader is equipped with a digest burster, 1) wading through dozens of messages (and their strange, cryptic headers) can be confusing and frustrating; and 2) it is not possible to "press the reply button" and automatically reply to a given message as you could if the messages were received individually.
index: A list of the files available for retrieval from a list's archives. Unless you know the name of the file you want to retrieve, you must request an index (much like a table of contents) before retrieving an archived file. See Common commands for users for more information on retrieving archives.
join: See subscribe.
list: A list refers to a collection of email addresses similar to a mailing list. The list is given a name, such as BIRDTALK. Participants (subscribers) in the list can send messages to one email address and all subscribers will receive the message. The collection of email addresses is maintained by a list server. At KU, the server software is called ListProc.
list address: The email address of a discussion list. Messages sent to the list address are distributed to all subscribers of the lsit.
list server administrator: The person or persons who are responsible for maintaining a list server. That is, responsible for the smooth functioning of the server software, not a given list. At KU the list server administrator can be contacted by sending email to listadm@listproc.cc.ku.edu. See also list owner.
list owner: The person or persons responsible for the smooth functioning of an email discussion list. Depending on the nature of the list, the owner may moderate messages sent to the list, control subscriptions to the list, and handle bounced messages and other errors as they arise. Information about who owns a list is provided in the welcome message sent to each subscriber at the time they join the list.
list password: A list password is provided at the time one successfully subscribes to a list and is listed in the welcome message. A different password is assigned for each list on which you participate. The password is used only for changing personal list subscription settings. It is not needed to participate on a list and is not related in any way to any passwords you may use to access your email. For information about changing your password, see Common subscriber commands.
list server: A list server is a server which has list server software installed. Popular list server software programs include LISTSERV, ListProc, Mailserv, and Majordomo. Each list server program operates slightly differently, much in the way that word processing programs are slightly different from one another. A list server may (and usually does) serve hundreds of lists. At KU, the list server runs a program called ListProc.
lurking: Lurking refers to receiving posts from a list for some time before daring to submit your own ideas and questions into the discussion. It is a good idea to lurk for a week or two in order to get a feel for the culture of the list, understand the threads of conversation, and learn the vocabulary, abbreviations, and insider shorthand.
moderator: A list owner to whom a list's messages are sent for clearance before being sent to the list's subscribers. Only lists that are set up as moderated lists have a moderator. See types of lists for more information.
newbie: A new participant to the list. Persons will often describe themselves as newbies when submitting their first post to the group or when asking a question that may show that they are novices in the group.
post (n., v.): To post is to submit or send a message to a discussion list. A post is a message.
spoiler: A topic that not everyone on the list may want to read about. For example, the ending of a movie or the plot of a novel. Spoilers can also include announcements of surprise events or discussion of sensitive subjects that may be painful for others to read about. It is considered good netiquette to include descriptive information in the subject so that those who wish to skip such messages are forewarned. See Netiquette for more information on how to handle spoilers.
subscribe(r): Someone who has joined an email discussion list is referred to as a subscriber. The process of joining is called subscribing and is accomplished by sending a sub command to the list processor. The subscribe command for ListProc has the following format: sub listname yourname. More information about subscribing is available on the Participating in email discussion lists page.
summarize: When you request information from members of the group that could be of interest/benefit to others in the group, some may request that you summarize. It is considered good netiquette to offer to summarize at the time you post your initial query.
welcome message: When you have successfully subscribed to a list, you receive an automated response from the list server. This includes a confirmation of your subscription, valuable information about whom to contact if you have troubles, and perhaps even specific information about the group you are joining (e.g., their discussion topic guidelines, flaming policies, an FAQ, etc.). Please retain the welcome message, you will likely need to refer to it in the future.

Generic email vocabulary relevant to lists

emoticons: Keyboard symbols used to convey sentiment or emotion in an environment where body language and voice inflection are not available. Also known as smileys. For example, this series of symbols :-) when viewed with the head tilted to the left, represent a smile. See Acronyms and smileys for more examples.
flame or flame war: One or more not-very-nice messages usually sent in anger. Can also refer to a torrent of messages sent to someone whom others perceive as not adhering to the rules of netiquette See Netiquette for more information.
headers: The portion at the beginning of an email message that includes information such as To:, From:, Subject:, CC:, X-Sender, etc.
signature: A signature is information that is automatically included at the end of each of your email messages (if you have your email program set up this way). It usually contains your name, title, address, phone number, etc. Depending on the list you are participating in, it is usually a good idea not to include all of this personal information in messages posted to hundreds of people you don’t know. All email programs allow the signature to be deleted or not included. If you use a signature for general email correspondence, learn to omit the signature from messages sent to lists.
spam (n., v.): Noun: Unwanted, unsolicited email. Junk mail. Verb: sending unwanted, unsolicited email to one or many persons.
spammer: A person who sends spam.

Prepared by Carine Ullom of Academic Computing Services, The University of Kansas. August 1999.