Majordomo
mailing list manager

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drice@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Dave Rice
Morrill 115, NDSU
Fargo ND 58105-5655
Voice (701)231-7381
FAX (701)231-7044

 

Majordomo is a mailing list manager, a computer program that manages email addresses for various groups or lists. Another popular mailing list manager is Listserv.  Majordomo and Listserv are programs like WordPerfect or Word. NDSU Agriculture runs Majordomo on the Ag server.

There are two major types of lists, open and closed. An open list allows anyone to subscribe/unsubscribe. A closed list requires approval by the list owner before you are subscribed/unsubscribed. The closed list 'owner' will receive email notification if you request a subscription to a closed list, they will approve or disapprove your request.

You may want to make a folder in your email program for each list you subscribe to. Normally you will receive an email message from the mailing list manager once subscribed with instructions on how to unsubscribe. Keep that message and other email addressed to the list in that folder.

The following is adapted from Brent Chapman's "Majordomo" mailing list manager, version 1.93. Instructions for Listserv are very similar.

Major functions of a mailing list manager include

The name of the mailing list goes where you see <list>, do not include the <>'s around it.

In the description below items contained in []'s are optional. When providing the item, do not include the []'s around it.

 
We will use the 'drought' list as an example. The drought list was established a few years ago to discuss drought strategies, this is an open list. Fortunately, the list was not used much. 

Majordomo understands the following commands: (These commands are entered in the body of the email message.) You need to read the instructions for subscribing to the various lists on the Internet, sometimes you are told to enter the commands on the subject line.

subscribe <list> [address]
Subscribe yourself (or <address> if specified) to the named <list>.

Example

To:

 majordomo@ndsuext.nodak.edu
 

Subj: 

       (leave blank)
 

Body:

 subscribe drought
end
Or, when not using a ndsuext ID:

Example

To:

 majordomo@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Subj: 

       (leave blank)

Body:

 subscribe drought drice@ndsuext.nodak.edu
end
Either turn your email signature off or add the 'end' command to your message. If not, Majordomo will try to interpret your signature as a series of commands, it will not be able to and will automatically send you a help file.

unsubscribe <list> [address]
Unsubscribe yourself (or <address> if specified) from the named <list>. 

Example

To:

 majordomo@ndsuext.nodak.edu
 

Subj: 

       (leave blank)
 

Body:

 unsubscribe drought
end

which [<address>]
Find out which lists you (or <address> if specified) are on.

Example

To:

 majordomo@ndsuext.nodak.edu
 

Subj: 

       (leave blank)
 

Body:

 which drice
end

who <list>
Find out who is on the named <list>.

Example

To:

 majordomo@ndsuext.nodak.edu
 

Subj: 

       (leave blank)
 

Body:

 who drought
end

info <list>
Retrieve the general introductory information for the named <list>.

Example

To:

 majordomo@ndsuext.nodak.edu
 

Subj: 

       (leave blank)
 

Body:

 info drought
end

lists
Show the lists served by this Majordomo server.

Example

To:

 majordomo@ndsuext.nodak.edu
 

Subj: 

       (leave blank)
 

Body:

 lists
end

help
Retrieve the standard Majordomo help message.

Example

To:

 majordomo@ndsuext.nodak.edu
 

Subj: 

       (leave blank)
 

Body:

 help
end

end
Stop processing commands (useful if your mailer adds a signature).

Commands should be sent in the body of an email message to "majordomo@ndsuext.nodak.edu".

Commands in the "Subject:" line are NOT processed.

If you have any questions or problems, please contact "accs@ndsuext.nodak.edu".

 

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