Purdue Fort Wayne- Interpreting Listserv Errors

Tags listserv

Overview

This document provides a list of common error messages that users may receive from listserv@listserv.pfw.edu when they send a command to a Listserv, which is an email list service at Purdue Fort Wayne. The error messages indicate the possible reasons for the command failure, such as incorrect syntax, invalid password, unauthorized request, or mismatched email address.

Instructions

Listserv Errors

You will receive an e-mail response from listserv@listserv.pfw.edu after posting any listserv command. If the command fails the response will contain a brief error message meant to tell you what you did wrong. The more common messages are listed below with probable meanings:

  • You must be the owner of list nameoflist
    • You submitted a command that only the listserv owner can issue, or
    • You are the owner but the password you supplied was not correct, or
    • You are the owner but a password has not been set for the list.
  • You must be a member of list nameoflist
    • You submitted a request to a listserv which you are not subscribed to, or,
    • You are subscribed under one e-mail address but you submitted a request from an e-mail account whose address is not subscribed to the listserv. For example, you are subscribed to a listserv under smithj@pfw.edu but sent the command from your home account at johnsmith@aol.com.
  • Syntax error in command
    • An improperly formatted command was sent to the listserv
    • The command you sent was too long and wrapped to the next line (most mail programs wrap at 70-75 characters). If this is the case, you will have to shorten your command by abbreviating or removing the full name when applicable.
  • Unknown command ${quote}......${quote} Try HELP
    • An incorrect command was sent to the listserv
    • The command you sent was too long and wrapped to the next line (most mail programs wrap at 70-75 characters.) If this is the case, you will have to shorten your command by abbreviating or removing the full name when applicable.
    • The command you sent had a space or spaces at the beginning of the line (the command line send to the listserv should begin with the command, not a space.)

 

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