This page describes some of the common commands that you may need to send to the LISTSERV. You can generally send any number of commands in a single message, as long as each is on a separate line in the body of the message. (Exceptions to this rule will be noted.)
This is not a complete list of commands, and many of these commands have other options not discussed here. More information about LISTSERV and database search commands is available, see the "INFO" command described below.
Remember to send commands to LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU; don't send them to NO-MILK@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU or CELIAC@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU which are the addresses where you post messages for everyone else to read.
The most common commands are as follows:
SUBSCRIBE
SET MAIL
SET DIGEST
QUERY
GET
SEARCH
SIGNOFF
SET NOMAIL
SET NODIGEST
Each will now be described in more detail.
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SUBSCRIBE NO-MILK YourFirstName YourLastName
SUBSCRIBE CELIAC YourFirstName YourLastName
This is the command you used to subscribe to the NO-MILK mail list or the CELIAC mail list. Your subscription address is automatically detected, so you do not need to enter it. You will only be allowed to post from that address. If you want to post from more than one account, you can subscribe from several addresses and set all but one to "NOMAIL", as explained below.
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SIGNOFF NO-MILK
SIGNOFF CELIAC
This command removes you from the NO-MILK list or the CELIAC list. If you are forced to change Internet providers and cannot unsubscribe from your old e-mail address, please send an e-mail note to the listowner and he will unsubscribe you from your old e-mail address.
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SET NO-MILK MAIL
SET CELIAC MAIL
Sets your subscription option so that you receive each message as it is posted. This is the default setting when your subscription begins.
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SET NO-MILK NOMAIL
SET CELIAC NOMAIL
Sets your subscription option so that you will receive no mail from the list. You are still able to post messages to the list. This is useful if you have more than one account, or if you want to leave the list temporarily (e.g. when going on vacation). Use "SET NO-MILK MAIL", “SET CELIAC MAIL”, "SET NO-MILK DIGEST" or SET CELIAC DIGEST to go back to normal.
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SET NO-MILK DIGEST
SET CELIAC DIGEST
Sets your subscription option to digest. Instead of receiving each message as it is posted, you will receive one daily message with all postings for that day. If you use this feature, do not use the reply feature of your software or the entire digest may be re-sent to the whole subscriber list! Instead, a new message should be created with the applicable information and comments.
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SET NO-MILK NODIGEST
SET CELIAC NODIGEST
Sets your subscription option to individual messages instead of receiving a daily digest. You will receive each message as it is posted.
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QUERY NO-MILK
QUERY CELIAC
This returns a summary of your current subscription options. If it appears that the NO-MILK list or the CELIAC list is no longer sending you messages, you should issue the "QUERY NO-MILK" or the “QUERY CELIAC” command to determine your status:
If the returned information shows NOMAIL and NOPOST this change was probably due to error notices caused by your e-mail address. You can return to receiving normal mail with the "SET NO-MILK MAIL" or “SET CELIAC” command (see the description above).
There are many reasons why your e-mail address may be causing error notices, including a full mailbox or transmission problems along the pathway. The high volume of error notices we get makes it impossible for us to research every notice. We do try to warn you of the problem, but usually you will not receive our warning for the same reason that the error notice is being generated. If the bounced message appears to be temporary, the ID is set to digest mode.
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GET NO-MILK FILELIST
GET CELIAC FILELIST
This returns a list of all the NO-MILK or the CELIAC files available from the file server.
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GET
This retrieves a named file from the file server, eg. GET NO-MILK WELCOME will retrieve this welcome message.
Logfiles: If you have been off mail during February 1998, and wish to obtain weekly celiac logfiles (digests of messages for a particular week) for the 1st four weeks in the month of February 1998, use the following format:
get celiac log9802a
get celiac log9802b
get celiac log9802c
get celiac log9802d
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INFO
Returns a list of LISTSERV help files. Send "INFO REFCARD" for a reference card on LISTSERV commands.
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SEARCH
The NO-MILK archives and the CELIAC archives can be searched by sending a query to the listserv. For information on searching, first obtain the following file from listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu: GET NO-MILK DBSEARCH or GET CELIAC DBSEARCH
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Disclaimer: The author of this document is not a physician, nurse, registered dietician, or a health care professional of any kind and assumes no liability for death or injury as a direct or indirect result of reading this document.