Getting Started

If you are a new list owner, working with your first list, here are the recommended steps for getting started:

1.	Read through Section 3 Communicating with LISTSERV to gain a general understanding of the concepts of LISTSERV commands, header keywords, and communicating with LISTSERV.

2.	Decide on the type of mailing list you want: one-way, two-way discussion, or moderated discussion. See Section 4 Mailing List Types for more information if you are not sure.

Request your list from the site administrator. Depending on the procedures and arrangements provided at the individual site, the site administrator may configure your list to your specifications, or may simply create the list from the built-in list template that is closest to what you requested. This leaves the fine-tuning to you. You might only be provided with a “bare-bones” list with only the Owner and Notebook keywords defined, leaving the bulk of the configuration to you.

4.	Obtain a LISTSERV password on the list’s server. See Section 5.3 Setting a LISTSERV Password.

5.	Define or adjust the list configuration. Even if your site administrator configured the list to your exact specifications, understanding how it is set up will benefit you by saving time and effort as you become a more experienced list owner. Use the Web Interface wizards to guide you:

a.	Go to the List Configuration Wizard, and check the keywords in each category and consider whether or how they apply to your list.

b.	Go through the List Configuration Tasks, and consider whether any of them are of interest.

Alternatively, read through the List Keyword Reference document, concentrating especially on the keywords listed for your type of list in Section 4 Mailing List Types, and edit the list header using email or the Web interface list header editor (for details on using the Web Interface, see Section 6.2 List Configuration). A few keywords require special privileges to modify, so you may need to get assistance from the site administrator.

Consider which administrative email messages, if any, you want to customize. Modify their templates (see Section 9 Customizing Mail and Web Templates Using the Web Interface). The descriptions in Section 4 Mailing List Types list the templates that you are most likely to be interested in customizing for each list type.

Test your list. Subscribe to your list from one or more email addresses that do not have any special privileges on the list (not listed as Owner, Editor, or Moderator). Send test messages to the list. Try sending from editor, owner, subscriber, and non-subscriber addresses. Signoff (leave the list) from at least one address. Practice performing common tasks. Does the list behave the way you expect it to? Do the messages look the way you want? If not, adjust the list’s configuration and templates accordingly. When you are done testing, remember to remove the test addresses and the archives of the test messages, if necessary.

8.	If you have an initial set of addresses to start the list with, create a text file and upload it into the list or add the addresses one at a time (see Section 6.4.1 Adding a New Subscriber to the List). Do not forget to add yourself if you want to receive list messages.

9.	If desired, publicize your list in whatever forum is appropriate (for example, your own Web page, CataList, or in your print advertising). For details, see Section 20 Advertising Your Public Mailing Lists.

10.	Start using your list. Enjoy!