Fileserver and listproc: more ways to get information

In previous issues of THE INSTITUTE, we have looked at three ways to get information electronically from the IEEE: the use of e-mail aliases, ftp, and gopher. Both gopher and ftp allow you to get text files that are available using e-mail, but they require more system features-features that many of our members either do not have or do not wish to use.

The IEEE is now using two tools to help you get information you need by e-mail: fileserver and listproc.

FILESERVER.   Using fileserver can simplify the task of getting ASCII text files by e-mail. If you have used IEEE e-mail aliases to get these text files, you are aware that you need to send a separate e-mail message for each one you want. But now you can send an e-mail message to "fileserver@ieee.org" and include as many items as you like, one per line. [Note that double quotes are used here to identify complete commands or addresses; type only the characters between the quotes. ] This means you now send to only one address and include the file name (or names) in the message content, instead of sending a dummy message (with no content) to IEEE aliases (where the part preceding the @ character is the file name).

Some hints: if your e-mail software requires a subject, put any character in the subject line; otherwise leave it blank. Type the file name carefully, starting in the first column of the message and on the first line (every character must be correct); additional file names can be put on additional lines; and blank lines are interpreted as the end of the message. If your e-mail software adds a signature file at the end of each message, leave two blank lines after the last file name line to denote the end of your request. For example, if you use the file name "info.email", you get the file containing file names and descriptors of information the IEEE has about e-mail. Once you read this file, you can send a single message with as many individual file names as you wish, one per line. These files will be returned to you as a set of e-mail messages.

LISTPROC.   You can use listproc to sign up on a mailing list to automatically receive certain text files as they are made available, or to sign up to be a participant in a discussion group.

To sign up, send an e-mail message to "listproc@ieee.org" and put your request in the body of the message, as follows "subscribe listname yourname". Your name is required so that the IEEE knows for certain who you are since e-mail addresses are sometimes cryptic. The address from which you sent the request is saved and will be used in sending you future items.

The name of the particular list you want to join is listname. You get off the list by sending the message "unsubscribe listname". Messages are archived, that is, they are stored for a time so that you can find them using listproc features. You can get more information about listproc by placing the word "help" on a line of the message you are sending. To get a listing of the current mailing lists, place the word "lists" on another line of your message.

MAILING LISTS.   The IEEE is developing three kinds of mailing lists: public, private, and private with public input.

•   Public lists are used for receiving information (in the form of e-mail messages) regularly. Anyone can get on the list by sending a subscribe message. Some IEEE newsletters are now being distributed electronically in this manner. Using this system, the IEEE will soon distribute conference announcements and tables of contents of publications. Look for announcements for these services from your Society, Section, or Region, or from the IEEE. Messages are archived in case you are missing some.

•   Private lists enable groups of IEEE volunteers to receive messages from one source. Private lists can be requested (set up) by the chair of a volunteer group, task force, committee, and so on through the staff member responsible for that group. Individuals cannot subscribe to get on these lists. Messages sent to any of these lists by members or others not on the list will be discarded. Messages are not archived.

•   Private lists with public input resemble private lists except that messages sent to the list by anyone will be distributed to everyone on the list. Messages are not archived.

DISCUSSION GROUPS.   The IEEE is developing three kinds of discussion groups: unmoderated, moderated, and private.

•   Unmoderated discussion groups are wide open, uncensored forums intended for specific topics. Anyone can become a member of the group by subscribing. Any subscriber can send to the group, but only members of the group receive messages sent to the group. Messages are archived.

•   Moderated discussion groups are controlled forums on specific topics. Anyone can become a member of the group by subscribing. Any subscriber can send messages, but the messages are moderated before being resent to the members of the group, or they may be rejected. Messages are archived.

•   Private discussion groups are uncensored forums for internal discussion among members of a group-for example, a volunteer and/or staff committee or task force. The membership of the group is determined by the group leader. Messages are not archived.

More detailed information about fileserver or listproc is available by simply sending a message to "fileserver@ieee.org" or "listproc@ieee.org" and placing the word "help" in the body of the message. Proposed definitions for the lists and groups mentioned above can be found in the file "info.lists.groups". Also, the file "info.email" has been recently updated. --Robert T.H. Alden