Purdue Fort Wayne- Listserv Glossary

Overview

The document provides an overview of various terms related to Listservs and email distribution lists.

Instructions

Here are the key points of the Listservs Glossary:

1. Announcement List:

   • A one-way communication list used for important notices or upcoming events.
   • Typically has one or two owners, editors who can send mail, and many subscribers.
   • Subscribers cannot send mail to the list.

2. Editor:

   • Allowed to send postings to a moderated list without going through a moderator.
   • A list can have multiple editors.

3. L-Soft:

   • The company that makes the Listserv product used by Purdue Fort Wayne.

4. List Address:

   • The email address of the Listserv (e.g., ENG-W131-03-L@listserv.pfw.edu).

5. List Name:

   • The name of the list (excluding “@listserv.pfw.edu”).
   • For example, “ENG-W131-03-L” from the Listserv address “ENG-W131-03-L@listserv.pfw.edu.”

6. Listserv:

   • An email distribution list created for specific topics (open discussions, moderated discussions, or announcements).

7. Moderated List:

   • Controlled discussion list where posts must be approved by a moderator before distribution.
   • Useful for managing high subscriber counts and reducing off-topic posts.

8. Moderator:

   • Responsible for approving messages before they are sent to everyone on the list.

9. Open Discussion List:

   • Allows all subscribers to send mail without intervention.
   • Encourages free and open discussion.

10. Owner:

    • Sets the list’s charter and policy.
    • Responsible for subscribing members and defining list parameters.
    • Owners can alter list setup.

11. Post:

    • A mail message sent to the Listserv.

12. Subscriber:

    • Receives mail from the Listserv.
    • Owners, editors, and moderators are not subscribers by default.

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