through a mail forwarding gateway), Netfind informs the user that the
person can not be found.
Due to the dynamic nature of Netfind's search procedures and
variations in Internet availability, different results can be
obtained for the same search on different occasions.
The Netfind software can only run on Suns running SunOS 4.0 or more
recent.
8.2. Who can use NETFIND
You must be on the international TCP/IP network (the Internet) in
order to use Netfind. Moreover, Netfind can only find information on
users who are on the Internet.
There is no e-mail access to Netfind.
8.3. How to get to NETFIND
You can access Netfind through software at your site (local access),
or you can use Telnet to access it at one of the following hosts
(remote access) and log in as netfind, no password is needed.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Host Country |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| archie.au Australia |
| netfind.anu.edu.au Australia |
| netfind.ee.mcgill.ca Canada |
| malloco.ing.puc.cl Chile |
| netfind.vslib.cz Czech Republic |
| monolith.cc.ic.ac.uk England |
| nic.nm.kr Korea |
| lincoln.technet.sg Singapore |
| nic.uakom.sk Slovakia |
| bruno.cs.colorado.edu USA |
| ds.internic.net USA |
| mudhoney.micro.umn.edu USA |
| netfind.oc.com USA |
| redmont.cis.uab.edu USA |
| dino.conicit.ve Venezuela |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
8.4. Using NETFIND
To use Netfind, you give it the name of a person and keywords
indicating where that person works. After you specify a search,
Netfind looks in its seed database to find domains matching the
specified keywords. If there is more than one matching domain,
Netfind displays the list of matching domains, and asks you to select
up to three to search. If the keys you specified match more than 100
domains, Netfind will list some of the matching domains/organizations
and ask you to form a more specific search. You can use any of the
parts of an organization's name (or any of the components of its
domain name) as keys in searches. Using more than one key implies the
logical AND of the keys. Specifying too many keys may cause searches
to fail.
When it completes the search (or when interrupted by <circ>C),
Netfind summarizes the search results. The summary includes problems
searching remote domains, information about the most promising e-mail
address for the person being sought (if available), and information
about when and where the person most recently/is currently logged in
(if available). If more than one person is located by a search, the
summary does not include information about e-mail targets and most
recent/current logins (since only the user can decide which person
was the correct one)
8.4.1. Local access:
The format of the Netfind command is:
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| netfind <options> name-keyword place-keywords |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where the options are:
-h
tells Netfind to skip the domain search phase, and immediately
begin searching individual machines found in the seed database.
This option exists for measurement purposes. It is not of much
use to casual users.
-s
will disable usage of the SMTP protocol during searches. This
option is mainly useful for measurement purposes. Without this
protocol, searches will begin producing finger output slightly
sooner, but will often search less useful machines, generate
more Internet load, and fail to find information for users at
sites that do not support finger (such as many companies).
-t
will report how many timeouts occurred. The -T option will set
the timeout interval to the specified number of seconds. It may
be necessary to use this option to increase the timeout value
for intercontinental searches.
-D
sets the maximum number of domains that Netfind will search at
once. The default is 3. While it may seem convenient to set a
high value for this number, we suggest you do not do this. The
search will actually proceed faster (and waste less Internet
bandwidth) if a small number of well chosen domains are
searched.
-H
sets the maximum number of machines that will be searched by
Netfind. The default value is 50. Again, we suggest that you
do not set this value higher.
-m
displays measurement information. If no filename is specified,
measurements are output to stderr. The packet count estimates
are usually exaggerated, because they make pessimistic
assumptions about the state of the Domain Naming System.
-d
allows you to turn on various classes of debugging output (all
of which are output to stderr), using a letter corresponding to
each one. Debugging output is enabled using the -d option with
a list of letters, e.g., -dslf. The following classes/letters
exist:
c:
display control messages (check if the program has reached a
specified point)
f: display finger related messages
h:
list machine names found in the seed database
l:
display lock related messages (when entering monitors)
m:
display messages about mail protocol (SMTP)
n:
display messages about network failures
r:
display hosts matched from the seed database that were
rejected from searches because of search scope selection
s:
display system call related messages
t:
display thread related messages
A:
convert the above flags to mean their complement (example
-dAt means produce all debug output except that for
threads).
The letters that are most likely to be of interest to the
casual user are f, m, and n. By default, these options are
enabled. Specifying any of these three flags with -d on the
command line will disable them (hence, the -d option toggles
the default behavior of each of the flags).
The name keyword specifies the person being sought by first,
last, or login name (only one name can be specified).
The place keywords describe where the person works, by either
the name of the institution or the city/state/country. If you
know the institution's domain name (e.g., cs.colorado.edu,
where there are host names like brazil.cs.colorado.edu) you can
specify it as keys without the dots (e.g., cs colorado edu).
The host parts of domain names (brazil) cannot be used as
keywords. Keys are case insensitive and may be specified in any
order, although using a very common key (like university) first
will cause internal buffers to overflow and some domains to be
missed.
Using more than one key implies the logical and of the keys.
Specifying too many keys may cause searches to fail. If this
happens, try specifying fewer keys.
8.4.2. Remote access:
Telnet to one of the remote Netfind sites (see How to get to
NETFIND, above) and log in as netfind. No password is necessary.
You will get the following menu:
Top level choices:
1. Help
2. Search
3. Seed database lookup
4. Options
5. Quit (exit server)
If you select Search, you will be given an opportunity to enter a
name keyword and place keywords.
8.5. Examples
To find the address of e-mail address of Nadine Grange, who works at
the EARN office at CIRCE in France, you could try the keywords:
nadine circe france
Since there are more than three domains that fit the place keywords,
you are asked to pick a few. The search proceeds, using the domains
of your choice:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Please select at most 3 of the following domains to search:
0. circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifique, orsay ce
1. ciripa.circe.fr (centre inter-regional de calcul electronique, c
2. dnet.circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifique, ors
3. ibmmail.circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifique,
4. obspm.circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifique, or
5. oecd.circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifique, ors
6. phy.circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifique, orsa
7. ups.circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifique, orsa
8. cth.ups.circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifique,
9. lure.ups.circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifique,
10. lps.cth.ups.circe.fr (centre national de la recherche scientifi
Enter selection (e.g., 2 0 1) --> 0
( 1) check_name: checking domain circe.fr. Level = 0
Search of domains completed. Proceeding to search of hosts.
( 3) check_name: checking host loire.circe.fr. Level = 0
( 4) check_name: checking host solrt.circe.fr. Level = 0
( 5) check_name: checking host groucho.circe.fr. Level = 0
( 1) check_name: checking host rsovax.circe.fr. Level = 0
( 2) check_name: checking host ventura.circe.fr. Level = 0
( 1) do_connect: Finger service not available on host rsovax.circe.
( 1) check_name: checking host earn-ng.circe.fr. Level = 0
( 4) check_name: checking host luregate.circe.fr. Level = 0
SYSTEM: loire.circe.fr
Login name: nadine In real life: Nadine Grange
Directory: /home/nadine Shell: /bin/csh
On since Sep 7 08:48:05 on ttyp0 4 days 21 hours Idle Time
New mail received Sun Sep 12 00:00:08 1993;
unread since Fri Sep 10 11:53:17 1993
No Plan.
Login name: nadine In real life: Nadine Grange
Directory: /home/nadine Shell: /bin/csh
On since Sep 7 09:17:09 on ttyp6 1 day 12 hours Idle Time
SUMMARY:
- "nadine" is currently logged in from
loire.circe.fr, since Sep 7 09:17:09.
- The most promising email address for "nadine"
based on the above search is
nadine@loire.circe.fr.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Note that Netfind found only an Internet address on a Unix machine.
8.6. Learning more about NETFIND
The remote access version of Netfind has a large Help section. There
is also a set of frequently asked questions available with the
software release, in the Doc directory. These questions cover
Functionality, Methodology, Network and Remote Site Load, Privacy,
Future Directions, and Related Work.
A noteworthy article on Netfind is:
Experience with a Semantically Cognizant Internet White Pages
Directory Tool, by M. F. Schwartz and P. G. Tsirigotis, Journal of
Internetworking Research and Experience, March 1991, pp. 23-50.
This publication discusses the research principles, performance, and
scope measurements of Netfind, and compares it with other white pages
facilities.
There is a mailing list for Netfind users (for software updates and
other discussions). To be added to the list, send an e-mail message
to netfind-users-request@cs.colorado.edu with the body (not subject
line) subscribe netfind-users
9. TRICKLE
9.1. What is TRICKLE
TRICKLE is a service which will send you files on request or by
subscription. TRICKLE works with various anonymous FTP sites
(computers in the Internet network that allow public access and
retrieval of software and files). It provides a quick and easy
alternative to FTP, whether or not you have access to the Internet.
There are several TRICKLE servers throughout the world that cooperate
to distribute the files efficiently. To request files, the user
issues commands to the nearest TRICKLE server, which delivers the
software either from its local cache disk, from the cache of another
TRICKLE server, or from an FTP site that holds the software.
9.2. Who can use TRICKLE
There are currently TRICKLE servers at the following addresses:
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Location EARN/BITNET Internet |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| Austria TRICKLE@AWIWUW11 TRICKLE@awiwuw11.wu-wien.ac.at|
| Colombia TRICKLE@UNALCOL TRICKLE@unalcol.unal.edu.co |
| France TRICKLE@FRMOP11 TRICKLE@frmop11.cnusc.fr |
| Germany TRICKLE@DEARN TRICKLE@vm.gmd.de |
| Israel TRICKLE@TAUNIVM TRICKLE@vm.tau.ac.il |
| Italy TRICKLE@IMIPOLI TRICKLE@imipoli.cdc.polimi.it |
| Netherlands TRICKLE@HEARN TRICKLE@hearn.nic.surfnet.nl |
| Poland TRICKLE@PLEARN TRICKLE@plearn.edu.pl |
| Sweden TRICKLE@SEARN TRICKLE@searn.sunet.se |
| Turkey TRICKLE@TREARN TRICKLE@ege.edu.tr |
| Turkey TRICKLE@TRMETU TRICKLE@3090.cc.metu.edu.tr |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
When you send a command to a TRICKLE server, it either executes the
command or sends you a message with the address of the TRICKLE server
for your area.
The files which are available from TRICKLE are organized in main
directories which contain many subdirectories. The main directories
which are currently available are:
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Directory Source FTP Site Contents |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| MSDOS oak.oakland.edu Large MS-DOS software archive|
| MISC oak.oakland.edu Software for VM, VMS, Unix |
| SIGM oak.oakland.edu SIG/M CP/M archive |
| PC-BLUE oak.oakland.edu PC-BLUE MS-DOS archive |
| CPM oak.oakland.edu CP/M software archive |
| ARCHIVES oak.oakland.edu Various discussion group arc.|
| UNIX-C oak.oakland.edu Unix and C code software arc.|
| MACINTOS oak.oakland.edu Apple Macintosh software arc.|
| OS2 2tp-os2.nmsu.edu Large archive of OS/2 sw |
| AMIGA nic.funet.fi Large Amiga collection |
| KERMIT watsun.cc.columbia.edu Kermit network software |
| TEX rusinfo.rus.uni-stuttgart.de TeX software and fonts |
| WUARCHIVE wuarchive.wustl.edu MS-DOS and others |
| EXPO-MIT export.lcs.mit.edu Unix and others |
| UUNET ftp.uu.net Unix and others |
| SUMEX-AIM sumex-aim.stanford.edu Macintosh and others |
| GARFIELD garfield.catt.ncsu.edu Multimedia (pictures/sounds) |
| X11 export.lcs.mit.edu X-Windows software distrib. |
| LINUX nic.funet.fi Linux system software dist. |
| VM-CMS ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu VM/CMS utilities |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Not all directories are available at all servers. If your closest
server does not provide the directory of your choice, you can use any
other TRICKLE for the missing directory. If your closest server is
temporarily unavailable, you can use any other TRICKLE instead.
9.3. How to get to TRICKLE
You send commands to TRICKLE by electronic mail. The commands should
be in the body of the mail message, one command per line. Any number
of commands (up to your daily command limit) may be placed in one
message. Users on the EARN/Bitnet network may also send commands to
TRICKLE by interactive message.
9.4. Using TRICKLE
All commands begin with a slash (/). Note that the angle brackets
(<>) are part of the command, not an indication of an optional
parameter.
Use the /PDDIR command to obtain directory listings.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| /PDDIR |
| |
| /PDDIR <dirname> |
| |
| /PDDIR <dirname.subdirname>pattern |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where:
dirname
is the name of a main directory,
subdirname
is the name of a subdirectory,
pattern
is part of a filename.
Use /PDDIR without any parameters to get a listing of the main
directories. With PDDIR <dirname> you will get a listing of the
subdirectories under that directory. If you specify both directory
and subdirectory, it will list the files that are available in that
subdirectory. With pattern, you will get a listing of only those
files that match or begin with that pattern. Wildcards "?" and "*"
may be imbedded into subdirname and pattern ("?" matches any single
character; "*" matches any number of characters).
Use the /PDGET command to get files.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| /PDGET <dirname.subdirname>filename ( delivery-option |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where:
dirname
is the name of a main directory,
subdirname
is the name of a subdirectory,
filename
is the name of a file.
delivery-option
specifies the format to which the file(s) should be translated
before being sent to you. The possible values are:
EBC80 UUE XXE HEX BTOA
The option EBC80 should be used to get text files if you work on
an IBM mainframe system. The other options are formats for
translating binary files so that they can be sent via electronic
mail. You will need a program to translate the file back to its
original form. The default for EARN/Bitnet users is to send the
file as-is. The default for others is UUE.
Wildcards "?" and "*" may be imbedded into subdirname and filename
("?" matches any single character; "*" matches any number of
characters) to get several files.
The /SUB command is used to subscribe to directories or to individual
files.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| /SUB <dirname> |
| |
| /SUB <dirname.subdirname>pattern |
| |
| /SUB QUERY |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where:
dirname
is the name of a main directory,
subdirname
is the name of a subdirectory,
pattern
is part of a filename.
If you subscribe to a directory, you will get a summary of added
files about once a week, depending on how active the FTP site is.
This listing shows the names, sizes and dates of each file added. If
you subscribe to a file, as soon as TRICKLE is informed that a new
version of the file has been stored at its FTP site, a copy of the
file will be sent to you.
Note that since filenames usually reflect the version number of the
file, it is a good idea to omit the number when specifying a pattern.
For example, it is better to send the command:
/SUB <MSDOS.VIRUS>SCANV
rather than
/SUB <MSDOS.VIRUS>SCANV106
since, as new versions of the file are stored, the name might change
to SCANV107, SCANV108, etc.
Wildcards are not allowed with the /SUB command.
The /SUB QUERY command allows you to get a list of the files you are
subscribed to.
The /UNSUB command may be used to cancel a subscription.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| /UNSUB <dirname> |
| |
| /UNSUB <dirname.subdirname>pattern |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where:
dirname
is the name of a main directory,
subdirname
is the name of a subdirectory,
pattern
is part of a filename.
The command /UNSUB * may be used to terminate all your directory and
file subscriptions.
9.5. Examples
For a listing of the files in the VIRUS subdirectory of (the MSDOS
directory, send the command:
/PDDIR <MSDOS.VIRUS>
To get the file 00-INDEX.TXT from <MSDOS.VIRUS> in EBCDIC format,
send the command:
/PDGET <MSDOS.VIRUS>00-INDEX.TXT ( EBC80
If you are not sure of the exact name of the file, you can use
wildcards:
/PDGET <MSDOS.VIR*>*INDEX* ( EBC80
To subscribe to automatically get new versions of the SCANV
software from <MSDOS.VIRUS>, send the command:
/SUB <MSDOS.VIRUS>SCANV
To unsubscribe from all files in the VIRUS subdirectory, send the
command:
/UNSUB <MSDOS.VIRUS>*
9.6. Learning more about TRICKLE
The /HELP command may be sent to any TRICKLE server to obtain a very
detailed help file from the server.
A brief guide to TRICKLE is available from the EARN documentation
filelist. Send mail to LISTSERV@EARNCC.EARN.NET (or
LISTSERV@EARNCC.BITNET). In the body of the message, write:
GET TRICKLE MEMO
10. BITFTP
10.1. What is BITFTP
BITFTP, BITNET FTP Server, allows users of EARN, Bitnet and
associated networks to access FTP sites on the Internet.
The BITFTP server provides a mail interface between a user on the
EARN/Bitnet network to FTP sites on the Internet. BITFTP handles this
task by passing the commands specified in the mail message from the
user to another server that actually makes the connection to the FTP
sites. When the server finishes the interaction with the FTP site,
or fails due to an error, a transcript of the result is sent back to
the user, as well as the requested file(s), if any.
The format of the files sent to the user can be defined within the
mail message. BITFTP can deliver files in netdata and uuencode
formats.
10.2. Who can use BITFTP
BITFTP is currently available only to users on EARN, Bitnet and other
regional NJE networks. BITFTP does not support multiple file requests
via the mget command nor does it support sending files to FTP sites
(the put command).
10.3. How to get to BITFTP
There are BITFTP servers currently running at:
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| BITFTP@DEARN.BITNET or BITFTP@VM.GMD.DE Germany |
| BITFTP@PUCC.BITNET or BITFTP@PUCC.PRINCETON.EDU USA |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Users on the EARN/Bitnet international network only may use the US
server. Only users from EARN member countries may use the server in
Germany. Servers at other locations are planned.
BITFTP accepts requests via electronic mail, including IBM NOTE and
PROFS-format messages, as well as by NJE file transfer.
10.4. Using BITFTP
BITFTP implements a large subset of the FTP commands of the IBM's
TCP/IP for VM, using the same syntax. This software is documented in
the IBM manual TCP/IP for VM User's Guide. In the following, angle
brackets (<>) indicate an optional parameter.
Use the ftp command to specify which host to connect to. This command
must be the first command in your mail file. You can also specify the
file format that you wish BITFTP to use to deliver files to you.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| ftp hostname <fileformat> |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where:
hostname
is either the IP address or the domain name of the host to connect
to,
fileformat
is the format in which BITFTP should deliver files to you. It can
be either netdata or uuencode.
Use the user command to tell the host the username and the password
to be used for the FTP connection. Note that on many FTP sites, both
username and password are case-sensitive.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| user username password |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where:
username
is the user-id to use for the FTP connection,
password
is the password for the username you specified. It can be omitted
if you specified anonymous for the userid.
Use the cd command to select a particular directory as current
directory.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| cd directory-name |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where:
directory-name
is the name of the directory to be selected.
Use the dir command to display a list of the files in the current, or
specified, directory. The file names, and depending on the site, the
file size, file creation date and other information will be listed.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| dir <pattern> |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where:
pattern
is a pattern that defines which file names should be displayed.
Many FTP sites are case-sensitive, thus care must be used with the
pattern. The pattern may contain any number of characters, and the
wildcard character "*" (asterisk) may be used to represent any
characters.
The ls command is similar to the dir command, except that with most
FTP sites, it only displays the filenames, without any other
information. The pattern specification is identical to dir.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| ls <pattern> |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Use the get command to obtain a file from the current host.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| get foreignname <localname> |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
where:
foreignname
is the filename of the file, as stored at the FTP site. With many
sites, the case of the filename must be respected.
localname
is an optional local filename. If you specify a localname, it must
be in the form: filename.filetype where neither part is longer
than eight characters.
Use the binary command to set the FTP transfer mode. If this option
is set then no EBCDIC-ASCII translation will take place. This should
be used for non-text files.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| binary |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Use the quit command to close the connection to the host, and to
terminate the BITFTP session.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| quit |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
10.5. Examples
To get the file how.to.ftp.guide from the directory
/pub/nic/network.service.guides at the anonymous FTP site
nic.sura.net, and to get a listing of the files in that directory,
you could send the following commands by e-mail to BITFTP:
ftp nic.sura.net
user anonymous
cd pub/nic/network.service.guides
get how.to.ftp.guide
dir
quit
In response you will receive an e-mail containing the following lines
(some lines have been removed for brevity):
> ftp nic.sura.net
> user anonymous
>> OPEN NIC.SURA.NET
>> USER anonymous
> cd pub/nic/network.service.guides
>> CD pub/nic/network.service.guides
> get how.to.ftp.guide
>>>> "how.to.ftp.guide" sent as "HOWTO FTPGUIDE".
> dir
total 60
-rw-rw-r-- 1 mtaranto 120 344 Apr 14 1992 README
-rw-rw-r-- 1 mtaranto 120 12759 Oct 30 1992 how.to.email.guide
-rw-rw-r-- 1 mtaranto 120 6327 Mar 24 13:28 how.to.ftp.guide
-rw-rw-r-- 1 root 120 2818 Mar 4 1992 how.to.telnet.guide
-rw-rw-r-- 1 mtaranto 120 6136 Oct 30 1992 how.to.use.vi.guide
-rw-r--r-- 1 1086 120 0 Aug 18 21:23 plane.
The above directory listing is typical of the format of Unix FTP
sites. There is information on file permissions and ownership as
well as the size of the file in bytes, the time and date of its last
change, and the file name.
You could request the first two files by once again sending mail to
BITFTP with the following commands:
ftp nic.sura.net
user anonymous
cd pub/nic/network.service.guides
get README
get how.to.email.guide
quit
10.6. Learning more about BITFTP
A four-page instruction to the BITFTP service can be obtained by
sending a help command in the body of a mail message to either BITFTP
server.
Additional information on BITFTP may be obtained from EARN
(NETHELP@EARNCC.EARN.NET or NETHELP@EARNCC.BITNET). More information
about TCP/IP and FTP in general can be obtained from a wide variety
of sources, such as the documents mentioned in the example above.
11. LISTSERV (Version 1.7f)
11.1. What is LISTSERV
LISTSERV is a distribution list management package. It runs on IBM
VM/CMS systems in the international NJE network (EARN/ Bitnet). It
allows groups of computer users with a common interest to communicate
among themselves, while making efficient use of computer and network
resources. It makes it easy for even novice users to discover, join,
and participate in these interest group mailing lists. LISTSERV also
provides facilities for logging and archiving of mail traffic, file
server functions, and database searches of archives and files.
There are LISTSERV lists on every subject under the sun, with names
ranging from AARPUB-L (AAR Electronic Publication list) to Z3950IW
(Z39.50 Implementors Workshop). LISTSERV lists are international and
eclectic. You will find lists in every imaginable field, for every
audience, in many different countries and in many different
languages. See the description of the List command in the section
Using LISTSERV section for instructions on getting an up-to-date list
of lists.
11.2. Who can use LISTSERV
Anyone who can send electronic mail to an EARN/Bitnet address can
participate in a mailing list and access other LISTSERV facilities,
as long as the e-mail format is valid (according to the RFC822
standard), and has a usable return address. Every day, people use
LISTSERV from HEPnet, Internet, Compuserve, MCIMail and many other
networks throughout the world.
If you don't know how to send electronic mail to EARN/Bitnet, ask
your local support people for help.
11.3. How to get to LISTSERV
To use LISTSERV facilities, send electronic mail with your LISTSERV
commands to: LISTSERV@host-id where host-id is the host computer's
NJE address (for example, TAUNIVM.BITNET) or its Internet domain name
(in this case, VM.TAU.AC.IL). There may be some local variation on
the format needed to send mail to Bitnet or Internet addresses. Check
with your local support personnel.
More than one command can be sent to LISTSERV in the same mail
message. Each command must be on a separate line. LISTSERV will
ignore the Subject: line of the mail header, so ensure that your
commands are in the body of the e-mail.
For EARN/Bitnet users, interactive messages are the fastest and most
convenient way to send commands to LISTSERV, but bear in mind that
interactive messages only work when the links between your computer
and LISTSERV are up; if the message fails, you can always send your
command via mail.
To facilitate communications with the LISTSERV servers on the
EARN/Bitnet network, a special LISTSERV computer node has been
defined. This means that any EARN/Bitnet user can address their
commands to the userid LISTSERV at the special node LISTSERV.
All non-EARN/Bitnet users may address their command mail to the
userid LISTSERV at the special node LISTSERV.NET. Note that if this
node is not yet defined on your network, you may also try
LISTSERV%LISTSERV.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU. For example, if you wanted
to join the 3D-L mailing list that discusses 3D computer graphics but
are not sure of the address of the LISTSERV server hosting this list.
You could send a subscription request to either of the following
addresses:
LISTSERV@LISTSERV.NET
LISTSERV@LISTSERV (on BITNET)
Your subscription request will be automatically forwarded on to the
LISTSERV server hosting the 3D-L mailing list (in this case, at the
computer node ARIZVM1 or ARIZVM1.CCIT.ARIZONA.EDU).
You may also utilize the special LISTSERV address to send e-mail to
any LISTSERV mailing list if you are unsure of its address. For
example, if you wanted to send mail to the BITFTP-L mailing list to
request a copy of the BITFTP product, you could do so by addressing
your e-mail to BITFTP-L@LISTSERV.NET. It will automatically be
forwarded to the list's real address (in this case,
BITFTP-L@EARNCC.EARN.NET) when it reaches the LISTSERV node. Once you
know the real address of a list, it should be used for all future
mail sent to that list.
There are more than 250 sites in over 30 countries throughout the
world running LISTSERV as part of the world-wide network. Here are a
few of the LISTSERV sites:
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| NJE Domain Site Country|
| Host Address |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| EARNCC EARNCC.EARN.NET |
| EARN Office, Paris France|
| DEARN VM.GMD.DE |
| GMD, Bonn Germany|
| HEARN HEARN.NIC.SURFNET.NL |
| Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen Netherlands|
| SEARN SEARN.SUNET.SE |
| Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan, Stockholm Sweden|
| BITNIC BINTIC.CREN.NET |
| BITNET Network Information Center USA|
| PUCC PUCC.PRINCETON.EDU |
| Princeton University, New Jersey USA|
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
11.4. Using LISTSERV
The commands given here are available for everyone and require no
special LISTSERV command privileges. Only the most common commands
are described. For a complete list of non-privileged LISTSERV
commands, retrieve the LISTSERV User Guide in the DOC FILELIST from
LISTSERV@EARNCC.EARN.NET (or LISTSERV@EARNCC.BITNET).
Commands are presented in a particular format: CAPITAL letters
indicate acceptable abbreviation, angle brackets (<>) indicate an
optional parameter, and vertical bar (|) indicates a choice of
parameters. All parameters are fully explained in each command
description.
There is a standard set of command keywords available for use in some
LISTSERV commands. They may be used with any commands where they
appear as optional parameters in the command description. The
important standard keywords are:
PW= password
This keyword is used to specify a password in a command. If you
have registered a personal password on a LISTSERV server, you will
then have to validate certain commands by using the PW= command
keyword in the command text. This feature is designed to prevent
impostors from issuing commands while using your e-mail address.
The use of passwords is strongly recommended for this reason. See
the PW command for details on registering personal passwords. Once
you have registered a personal password at a LISTSERV server, you
will be obliged to include the PW= command keyword in all commands
where it appears as an option.
F= format
This keyword controls the file format (or internal file structure)
in which files will be sent to you. If you are not a member of the
EARN/Bitnet network, then LISTSERV will always use the default
file format of MAIL. Otherwise, the default file format is
dependent upon the information held in the BITEARN NODES file
regarding your computer. The BITEARN NODES file is a special
network definition file used in the EARN/Bitnet network. Any user
may ask for a file format other than their default by specifying
it in the F= command keyword in the commands where it appears as
an option. Note that this will not permanently change your default
file format, its effect is only for those commands where it is
specified. Following is a list of file formats that are valid for
all users:
XXE UUe MIME/text MIME/Appl MAIL
In addition, EARN/Bitnet users may specify:
Netdata Card Disk Punch LPunch VMSdump
Contact your local support personnel for more information about
the file formats supported on your computer.
11.4.1. Commands for LISTS:
The primary function of LISTSERV is to operate mailing lists (also
referred to as distribution lists). Mailing lists are used to
distribute the e-mail sent to them to a list a recipients. They
provide the means for a group of users to establish an e-mail
forum on any topic or area of common interest. This service
provides an extremely convenient means for the exchange of ideas
and information between list members since LISTSERV (and not the
mail sender) manages the distribution of e-mail to all of its
final recipients. Users need only to remember one list address to
which they send their mail in order to communicate to a
potentially large number of users. Due to the efficiency with
which LISTSERV distributes e-mail to list members, discussions or
debates with a world-wide audience may be conducted.
The following commands are designed for use with LISTSERV mailing
lists. With them you may do things such as finding the names and
addresses of lists, signing on to or off lists, reviewing lists or
changing your personal options for any mailing list to which you
are subscribed.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| SUBscribe list-name <full-name> |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Use the SUBscribe command to join a mailing list. You can also use
this command to alter the name (but not e-mail address) by which
you are known on a mailing list you have already joined. The
list-name parameter is the name of the list to which you want to
subscribe. For example, the EARN User Group list located at the
node IRLEARN has a list name of EARN-UG. Do not confuse this with
the list's address (EARN-UG@IRLEARN) which should not be used. The
optional full-name parameter allows you to give a name by which
you want to be known on a mailing list. If specified, it should be
your full, real name (at least your first name and last name) and
not your e-mail address. If you send this command to LISTSERV via
command mail, the name for the full-name option will be taken from
the name given in the From: mail header should it be omitted from
the command text. If you send a SUBscribe command for a list to
which you already belong, then LISTSERV will interpret the command
as a request to change your full-name on the list.
A request to join a mailing list can be processed in three ways:
subscription to a list may be OPEN, CLOSED, or BY-OWNER. If it is
OPEN, you will be automatically added to the list and sent
notification. If it is CLOSED, you will not be added to the list,
and LISTSERV will send you a message telling you that your request
has been rejected. If it is BY-OWNER, your subscription request
will be forwarded to the list owner(s), who will decide whether or
not to add you to the list (LISTSERV will inform you to whom your
request has been forwarded). To see what kind of subscription a
list has, use the REView command.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| UNSubscribe list-name | * <(NETWIDE> |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Use the UNSubscribe command to leave a mailing list. The listname
parameter is the name of a mailing list from which you want to
remove your subscription. You can signoff all the lists to which
you are a member at any particular LISTSERV site by using the "*"
(asterisk) character in the place of a list name. If you want your
UNSubscribe command to be propagated to all LISTSERV servers on
the network, include the (NETWIDE option. Use this option if you
are changing your e-mail address or are leaving your computer for
an extended period.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| List <options> <F= format> |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Use the List command to get a listing of available mailing lists
at a LISTSERV server. The options parameter may be any of the
following:
Short
This option displays a summary of all the lists managed by a
LISTSERV in a brief, one line description. This is the default.
Long
The Long (or Detailed) option will send a file (called
node-name LISTS) to you that contains a comprehensive
description of the lists managed by a LISTSERV server.
Global <pattern>
This option gives a complete list of all known LISTSERV mailing
lists at all servers at the time the command is issued. A file
(called LISTSERV LISTS) will be sent to you containing the
names, titles and e-mail addresses of these lists. This is a
very large file, so make sure you have the necessary disk space
to accommodate its size before you use the Global option. The
optional pattern parameter can be used to match any string in
the list name, list title or list address.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| REView list-name <(> <options> |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Use the REView command to receive a listing of a mailing list. It
will be sent to you as a file called list-name LIST (or list-name
node-name for peered lists). A mailing list is comprised of two
parts: a control section and a subscription section. The control
section holds the definition parameters for a list which includes
information such as who is authorized to review or join a list and
whether or not it is archived. The subscription section holds the
e-mail addresses and names of all list members. The REView command
allows you to receive a listing of either or both of these
sections (the default is both) for any list, provided you are
authorized to do so. Note that at the discretion of the list
owner(s), the REView command can be restricted in use to list
members only. In this case, you will not be authorized to review a
mailing list if you are not a member of that list yourself. Also,
individual list members can restrict the appearance of their
e-mail address and name in response to a REView command if they
have set the CONCEAL mailing list option (see the SET command for
more details). The list-name parameter is the name of the LISTSERV
list you wish to review. The important options are:
Short
This option restricts the information you receive to the
control section of a list (giving its definition parameters)
and does not return the subscription section of a list (giving
the list members).
Countries
If you use this option, the list of members will be by the
nationality given in their e-mail.
LOCal
If the list is peered (that is, it is linked to other mailing
lists of the same name but on different LISTSERV servers), you
will receive listings of all of these mailing lists in response
to a REView command. The LOCal option can be used to suppress
the propagation of the REView command to the LISTSERV servers
hosting these peered mailing lists. In this case, you will
receive a listing only from the server to which you send the
REView command and not the others.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Query list-name | * |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
When you join any mailing list, you will be assigned a default set
of list options that control such things as way you received mail
when it is distributed and the type of notification LISTSERV will
give you when it distributes mail you have sent to a list. These
are the personal list options that may be altered on any mailing
list to which you are subscribed to suite your circumstances. See
the SET command for a complete descriptions of these options. The
Query command can be used to review the personal list options you
have in effect at any mailing list. The listname parameter is the
name of a list to which you are subscribed. If you use an "*"
(asterisk) character instead of a list name, you will receive
information about your personal options for all lists to which you
belong at the LISTSERV to which you send the command.
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| SET list-name | * options |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Use the SET command to change your personal options for a mailing
list. These options will remain in effect until they are
explicitly changed. The Query command can be used to display your
current optional settings for any list to which you are
subscribed. The list-name parameter is the name of the mailing
list for which you are changing your options. You may change your
options for a specific list or for all the lists you belong to at
a particular LISTSERV by using the "*" (asterisk) character in
place of a list name. After processing your SET command, LISTSERV
will send you conformation of the successful alteration of your
mailing list options via e-mail. The important options are:
Mail | DIGests | INDex | NOMail
These options of the SET command alter the way in which you
receive mail from a mailing list. The Mail option means that
you wish to have list mail distributed to you as mail. This is
the default. The DIGests and INDex options are available only
if a list has had these features enabled by its owner(s).
Digests hold all the mail messages sent to a list over a
certain period of time. Instead of receiving each mail
individually as it is distributed to list members, you will
receive all the mail in one batch for a given day, week or
month. You may then browse through these mail messages at your
leisure. Note that mail is not edited with the DIGests option,
you will receive copies of all the mail messages in their
entirety. The INDex option will provide you with only the date,
time, subject, number of lines and the sender's name and
address for all mail messages sent to a list. The text of the
mail message will not be included. You may then select and
retrieve any mail that interests you from the list archive.
Both the DIGests and INDex options provide a means of listening
in to discussions on mailing lists without having to deal with
large quantities of incoming mail messages. The NOMail option
means that mail sent to the list will not be distributed to
you. This is useful when you are leaving your computer for an
extended period of time and you do not want mail from the list
to fill your mailbox. When you return, you can send the SET
command with the Mail option to restore mail service.
SHORThdr | FULLhdr | IETFhdr | DUALhdr
All mail messages are comprised of header and body sections.
The header section provides details such as the recipients, the
original sender and the date and time a mail message was sent.
The mail body section contains the text of a mail message.
These options of the SET command indicate the type of mail
headers you want to receive in the mail distributed from a
mailing list. SHORThdr means that the mail header will include
only the essential informational headers (for instance the
Date:, To:, From:, Subject:, Sender: and Reply-to: headers).
This is the default. You may change this to FULLhdr, which