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RIM Related Listservs

Like Kleenex® and Xerox®, Listserv actually describes a particular software program, but has come to mean a type of communication where participants can send ("post") emails to a single email address and the message will be delivered to all other subscribers. Some Listservs are moderated, meaning all posts go to a person to review before being distributed, and others are self-policed.

There are several other features that the Listserv offers over standard email distribution lists. The volume of some listservs are quite large, generating 20 to 30 (or more) messages a day — all delivered to your email inbox. An alternative is to subscribe in "digest" mode, getting a single, rather long, email of all the day's messages. In addition, all emails are collected in an archive which can be searched by anyone.

Click the buttons on the left for information on subscribing to the various listservs.

Listserv Etiquette

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  1. Introduce yourself when you first join the group.
  2. Search the archives of the list before asking a question or opening a new topic (it may already have been discussed).
  3. Use subject headings that accurately convey the topic of the post (especially important for following threads in archive searches).
  4. Keep messages brief, to the point and meaningful. "Me too" and "Cool" sent to several hundred subscribers is a waste of everyone's time.
  5. Stick to the purpose of the list; the more topic-specific the contributions are, the more useful the list is for everyone.
  6. Selling or advertising products and services on listservs is considered rude and inappropriate.
  7. When replying to a Listserv message, it is important that you direct your reply to the proper person or group of users you intend your response to go to, otherwise a private message may go to thousands of people, much to your embarrassment.
    • When you simply reply to a Listserv message, the whole list will receive your reply. If the original message required you to reply to the list, or if you wished your comments to be seen by the list, then simply use the reply option.
    • If your reply isn't of interest to everyone on the list change the TO: address to the person to whom your reply is directed.
  8. Quote or repeat only the relevant sections of the post to which you are responding and not the complete post (as may occur when you hit the "reply" button - The HIT-REPLY-BUTTON SYNDROME is the bane of discussion lists. It litters the lists with superfluous already posted once >, twice >>, thrice >>>, etc., etc. material.
  9. NEVER send attachments to lists (they will often appear as pages of code and may introduce viruses).
  10. NEVER send messages in HTML or "enriched text." Some subscribers may receive your message interspersed with HTML tags so that it is difficult to read. Check your mail-system's settings to be sure you are NOT sending mail to discussion lists only in HTML or in a double posting first in ASCII and then in HTML.
  11. Pause a few minutes to review your post before sending it.
    • Is your message something you want the rest of the world to see? Confidential information does not belong on a listserv.
    • Always, always be courteous. Do not subject any list member to a personal attack. "Flaming" is the use of emotionally loaded content. It is fine to discuss controversial subjects, but personalizing the debate is not.
    • Do not use profanity. If a message angers you, wait until you are calm before responding.
    • Don't disparage your organization or other organizations in your message.
    • AVOID USING ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF SHOUTING (and considered rude).
  12. Use a BRIEF signature that includes your affiliation, mailing address, email address, and (if you have one) your homepage.
  13. If you are going to be out of the office for an extended period of time and use an automatic response to your messages that says you are out of the office, remove yourself from the list temporarily. Most listservs have a "NOMAIL" setting which suspends your account without totally unsubscribing.
  14. Sign off a list when you leave the group that uses the list. But make sure that you send the remove request to the correct address — DO NOT send it to the same address that you send messages to ... each listserv has an administrative address and a posting address.