Introduction
Listserv is a collection of electronic discussion groups which are online forums where people discuss particular topics by receiving and posting messages using e-mail or the web. In addition, Listserv is a convenient resource for sending announcements to a group by using a single e-mail address to reference the group.
Electronic discussion groups are also called "distribution lists" or "lists." To subscribe to a list, you must know the name of the list. This guide provides instructions for using the web to participate in discussion groups hosted on listserv.temple.edu .
To participate in a list, you must first subscribe to the list and then create a password to send messages to the list. Since messages that you send to a list may be read by many people, consider the following:
- Do not abuse or insult anyone or knowingly make false statements.
- Send messages that you want others to read and that pertain to a list topic.
- Keep your messages brief.
- Include a subject in each message to enable readers to easily identify the topic.
It is important to comply with the Targeted E-mail Announcements via Listserv Lists section of the University-Wide Electronic Communication Guidelines .
NEW: The Listserv system at Temple was recently upgraded to 16.0. This new upgrade includes a redesigned interface as well as enhanced security features.
Subscribing to a List
To subscribe to a list, you must send a request to subscribe to the list and then confirm your request. Note that some Listserv lists can be very prolific and fill your account with mail. As an alternative, you can do one of the following:
- subscribe to a list in digest format
-or-
- select Mail delivery disabled temporarily under the Miscellaneous option and read the posts in the archives.
Instructions
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The LISTSERV Archives page displays the discussion groups that are public. Click on the list to which you want to subscribe.
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Go to the Options box on the right and click Subscribe or Unsubscribe.
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Enter your name and e-mail address and then click Subscribe ( name of list ) .
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A confirmation message displays at the top of the window.
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Log into your e-mail account.
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Open the "Command confirmation request" message from Temple University LISTSERV Server .
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To confirm your subscription request, click the link or reply to this e-mail with the word OK as the only text in your message.
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The LISTSERV Command Response (list name) window displays "OK" to confirm your subscription.
Replying to a Message
In addition to posting a new message to a list, you can also reply to a message. Usually, the reply will be be sent to all members of the list. Sometimes, however, the reply will be sent only to the poster of the message.
Instructions
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If necessary, open the message. Then, go to the top of the message and click Reply .
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At the Send Message (list name) window, compose your message and click Send Message .
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A confirmation message displays at the top of the window.
Suspending Mail or Changing Options
Listserv has a variety of subscription options that you can select to suit your needs. For example, if you are going on vacation and want to stop receiving Listserv messages temporarily, you can set the option to disable your Listserv mail.
Instructions
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Go to Temple's Listserv archives site and, on the right under Options, click Log In .
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At the Login Required window, enter your e-mail address and password and then click Log In .
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Select the list.
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Go to the Options menu on the right and click Subscribe or Unsubscribe .
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At the Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the (list name) window, select the subscription option(s) that you wish to change or set. For example, to temporarily stop receiving messages, go to Miscellaneous and click Mail delivery disabled temporarily .
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A confirmation message displays at the top of the window.
