NIH LISTSERV Facility
User's Guide
October 2001

Most common user functions, such as joining and leaving a list, changing subscriber options, and viewing list archives, are easily performed via LISTSERV's new User Web Interface. Such functions were formerly performed via e-mailed commands to LISTSERV. Of course, e-mailed commands still work, and users who are familiar with e-mailing commands to LISTSERV may continue to do so.

LISTSERV accepts a variety of commands from users. LISTSERV commands may be used to subscribe to a list, to request information or help from LISTSERV, to unsubscribe, etc. Sending commands to a list should not be confused with sending mail to a list, which is described in the previous section, "Appendix A: Posting To A List Via E-mail."

To send commands to LISTSERV, address an e-mail message to:

listserv@list.nih.gov

Type the command(s) in the body of the e-mail message. Each line is treated as a separate command. Multiple commands may be sent in a single e-mail message. However, if LISTSERV encounters an invalid command, any commands that follow will not be executed. The subject line is ignored.

This section lists the most common LISTSERV user commands. Commands are listed in alphabetical order under each sub-section.

SUBscribe|SIGNUP listname full_name

Use the SUBscribe command to subscribe to a list. You will be automatically added to it if the list is open to the public. Depending on how the list is set up, your request may be forwarded to the list owner for approval, or it may be ignored by LISTSERV. It is not necessary to supply your full name if you have already signed up for another list on the same server. The name you provided on your first subscribe command will automatically be used for the new subscription. Also, once you are subscribed, you can issue a subscribe command to correct or change your name, regardless of whether the list is open to the public.

UNSubscribe|SIGNOFF <options>

Use UNSUBSCRIBE or SIGNOFF to cancel your subscription to a list. This is the counterpart of the SUBscribe command. Note that you can unsubscribe from any list to which you are subscribed, whether you subscribed to the list yourself or were added to it by the list owner.

Valid options:

LISTS <options>

The LISTS command lets you find out what lists are available, both at NIH and elsewhere. LISTSERV will respond by sending a list of lists via return email. The following options may be used:

Valid options:

QUERY <options>

The QUERY command displays your list subscription options for the specified list. Used with the * option, it tells you all the lists to which you are subscribed. Please refer to the SET command description for more details on the meaning of these options.

Valid options:

REView listname

The REVIEW command sends you the detailed information about the specified list, including the list of subscribers, if the list owner has made that information public. Private lists cannot be reviewed by users who are not subscribed to the list. However, the header of the list (without subscriber information) will still be sent to you even if you are not authorized to review the list.

SET listname <options>

The SET command allows you to alter your personal settings for a specific list. If you wish, you may specify multiple options in a single command, as long as the command does not wrap to a second line. Previous settings will be retained unless specifically changed.

Valid options:

REGISTER <options>

The REGISTER command registers your name with LISTSERV. (LISTSERV associates the name with your email address.) Once you register with LISTSERV, you need not specify your name to subscribe to a list, as long as your email address doesn't change.

Valid options: