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Mailing Lists at the University of Birmingham List Owner's Guide Commands for the Administration of Lists Information File

A default information file is created for each list containing basic contact information for the list and the list server. This file is normally sent to everyone who joins the list either automatically or as a result of an "approve" command. Use of configuration options can prevent this from happening; if an introduction (intro) file has been created this will be sent instead (see Introduction file) and if the welcome option is set to no, no welcome message will be generated when people join lists (see supported configuration options).

The file can most easily be viewed and edited using the majorcool web interface. Alternatively, the file can be modified by email using the method below, but this is no longer recommended.

The information file is also available by sending email to majordomo@bham.ac.uk containing the following command

info <listname>

where listname is the name of the list.

For example to fetch the information file for a list called "trees", the command would be

info trees

The default information for this file would look like this

Information file for email list: trees

This information file was generated automatically when the list was converted
for administration by majordomo.

Please contact trees-owner@bham.ac.uk for further list details
or queries concerning the list.

Technical queries concerning the operation and use of the majordomo software
at this site should be sent to the IT Service Desk

(helpdesk@bham.ac.uk +44 121 414 7171).

In order to tailor this file to contain information about the list, it is recommended that you fetch a copy of this file and edit it using a suitable text editor or mail interface. The information should be plain ascii text with line breaks, preferably with 75 characters per line or less. You should not include any special formatting or fonts. You can then install the new information file by sending email to majordomo@bham.ac.uk containing the command

newinfo <listname> <password>

where listname is the listname and password is the password. Any text which follows this command will be used to create the new information file, so include the text of your new file at this point. A line containing just the letters EOF must be used at the end of the information. It is important that these letters are in upper case. Once you have installed the new information file it is wise to fetch a copy and check that it has been installed correctly. An example of a message to create a new file for the list "trees" with a password of "brt6yhui" follows.

newinfo trees brt6yhui
Information file for email list: trees

This mailing list is primarily for the discussion of trees. Related issues such as shrubs may also be discussed on the list, but this is not an appropriate forum for the discussion of bonsai, topiary and other forms of tree art.

Please contact trees-owner@bham.ac.uk for further list details
or queries concerning the list.

Technical queries concerning the operation and use of the majordomo software at this site should be sent to the IT Service Desk (helpdesk@bham.ac.uk +44 121 414 7171).
EOF

If you make an error by specifying the one of the commands or password incorrectly an error message will be sent back to you. However, this will not contain your new information file. If you have prepared the new file directly using your email system it is strongly recommended that you send a copy to yourself in addition to majordomo. If you make a mistake, you will then be able to use this copy instead of having to type in a new one.

Last Updated 22nd June 2006. Please mail any comments to C.B.Bayliss@bham.ac.uk