This article is training material that support the Listserv Course 3042 Video Training. Can be printed and used for notes while watching the videos.

Course 3042

LISTSERV® List Owner III

(Advanced One-Way Announcement Lists)

Rev. 2018-05-29

by L-Soft Training & Consulting Group

What We Will Cover In this Course:

Configuring LISTSERV lists for one-way announcements

Sending mail to one-way announcement lists

Customizing mail and web templates

Creating customized web sign-up pages

Using the super-list / sub-list architecture

Using topics

Configuring LISTSERV Lists for One-Way Announcements

Two options:

Request creation of a new list

Requires LISTSERV site administration privilege

Reconfigure an existing list

Requires LISTSERV list owner privilege

Can be performed through LISTSERV List management web interface, or by e-mail

Consists of editing applicable configuration keywords

Creating a New List

Lists must be created by a LISTSERV site administrator

Send request to [e-mail address of LISTSERV site admin]

Creation of a new list expedites configuration

Appropriate keyword values are pre-defined

Specific template ships with LISTSERV: “one-way announcement list, high security [ANNOUNCE]”

All values can be modified further, if desired / necessary

Configuring Your List

for One-Way Announcements

Specific list keywords Send=

Authority to send messages to the list Security of messages sent to the list Subscription=

How the list is populated with recipients Confidential=

How “visible” the list is Notebook=

Whether archives are maintained, and are accessible

Send=

for One-Way Announcement Lists

Who will be sending messages to the list?

Known addresses (i.e., Send= email@address) How messages be authenticated / confirmed?

Held by LISTSERV, with confirmation requested:

Send= email@address, Confirm

What should happen to unsolicited messages? Will be rejected

Subscription=

for One-Way Announcement Lists

How will subscribers be added to the list?

They “join” the list themselves without screening or confirmation: Subscription= Open (NOT recommended)

They “join” the list themselves without screening, with confirmation:

Subscription= Open, Confirm

They “join” the list when approved by the list owner: Subscription= By owner or Subscription= By owner, Confirm

They cannot “join” the list themselves, but must be “added” by list owner:

Subscription= Closed

Confidential=

for One-Way Announcement Lists

How visible will the list be?

Visible to anyone, anywhere: Confidential= No

Visible to anyone within a defined “service” area: Confidential= Service

Visible to no one, anywhere:

Confidential= Yes

Other Configuration Options (selected): Security Keywords

Service=

Does the list serve only a specific domain or set of domains?

Examples:

Only e-mail addresses within a specific domain: Service= example.com

Only e-mail addresses within specific sub-domains: Service=

sales.example.com,marketing.example.com

Only e-mail addresses within multiple specific domains: Service= example.edu,example.cc.md.us

Notebook=

for One-Way Announcement Lists

Will an archive of list postings be maintained?

Yes

Notebook= Yes,dir_path,frequency,access

No

Notebook= No

Notebook=

for One-Way Announcement Lists [cont.]

If yes:

Where (physically) will the archive reside? [directory/file path on the server] Determined by LISTSERV site administrator

What time interval will be used to compile the archive?

Single / Yearly / Monthly / Weekly / Separate Who will be able to access the archive?

Public / Private / Owner / Service

Other Configuration Options (selected): Access Control Keywords

Review=

Who may access the list of subscribers?

Public / Private / Owner / Service / [etc.]

Other Configuration Options (selected): Distribution Keywords

Digest=

Will a digested / indexed version of the list be available?

Yes / No

Sub-lists=

Will this list be used to distribute postings to other “sub-lists” (to be discussed later in this session)?

Requires LISTSERV site administrator privilege

Topics=

Will this list be used to distribute postings to subsets of subscribers by interest area (to be discussed later in this session)?

Other Configuration Options (selected): List Maintenance & Moderation Keywords

Owner=

Who will be responsible for managing the list itself?

Other Configuration Options (selected): Subscription Keywords

Default-Options=

Which subscription settings for the list should be set by default for all new subscribers?

Examples:

Default-Options= Repro,NoAck

Default-Topics=

Which interest-area-specific postings should be received by default by all new subscribers?

Examples:

Default-Topics= General,News

Other Configuration Options (selected): Other Keywords

Language=

Will the list send administrative information mail and messages in a specific language (default: English) or style (one-way), or preserve proprietary content format (Exchange)?

Examples:

Language= ONE-WAY

(L-Soft does not supply support files for languages other than English, but makes available user-contributed files on its FTP site. User- contributed files are currently available for German and Spanish.)

Sending Mail to One-Way Announcement Lists

Controlling who can send: the Send= keyword revisited

Controlling when it can be sent:

understanding Prime= (in the list configuration) and PrimeTime= (in LISTSERV’s site configuration)

Controlling the Subject: field sent: the Subject-Tag= keyword

Sending Mail: Controlling Who Can Send

Send=

Single vs multiple Send= entries

Special e-mail addresses vs primary individual addresses Examples=

news@example.com vs bill@example.com

The order of listing Send= entries

Send= Confirm (self-confirmation)

Sending Mail: Controlling When It Can Be Sent

Understanding LISTSERV’s concept of “prime time:”

“… certain times and days of the week when you don’t want LISTSERV to process postings. […] It is "prime time" for the machine when it should be doing other things, e.g., number crunching, daily backups, or any other function during which LISTSERV should not be using cycles.”

[emphasis added; source: Site Manager’s Operations Manual, section 12.3 (“Controlling ‘prime’ time”) & Appendix B]

Prime= for a specific LISTSERV list

PrimeTime= for an entire LISTSERV server

Sending Mail: Controlling When … Examples

Prime= Examples:

For list postings to be distributed week days between 5pm and 12 midnight, the list’s Prime= configuration would read:

Prime= “Mon-Fri: 00:00-16:59; Sat-Sun: 00:00-23:59”

For list postings to be distributed after 5pm on Friday and 8am on Monday, the list’s Prime= configuration would read:

Prime= “Mon: 08:00-23:59; Tue-Thu: 00:00-23:59; Fri: 00:00-

17:00; Sat-Sun: -”

Sending Mail:

Controlling the Subject: field Sent

Adding static identifying text via Subject-Tag= Manual recognition by recipient

Programmatic recognition by e-mail client software (i.e., filtering of inbound e-mail)

Examples:

Subject-Tag= GoodTimes_News

Customizing Mail and Web Templates

LISTSERV’s e-mail and web interfaces are generated largely from templates:

Administrative / informational e-mail messages sent

Dynamic and static web pages displayed

Templates are customizable at the site-wide or individual list level

-- by the LISTSERV site administrator(s) or list owner(s), respectively

Example of a Template-Generated Message

User subscribes to a list

User gets a response from the server:

To: Test Address <test123@LSOFT . COM > Subject: You are now subscribed to the EASE-HOME list From: "L-Soft list server at HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM (1.8e)" <LISTSERV@HOME. E ASE.LSOFT.COM > Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2002 17:49:14 -0400 Thu, 8 Aug 2002 17:49:14 Your subscription to the EASE-HOME been accepted. list (L-Soft EASE Home Support Forum) has

Purpose of MAILTPL Messages

Generate an automated, personalized response to common list operations or events:

Subscribe / Unsubscribe by user (or Add / Delete by owner) Change of subscription address or setting options

Information requests Certain errors

Allow configuration or change of these automated responses to suit different

circumstances of list usage:

Discussion lists encourage user responses to the list

One-way, announcement-only lists discourage / prevent user responses

E-mail Message Template Files

DEFAULT.MAILTPL

Standard Message templates

A LISTSERV system file (replaced during updates)

SITE.MAILTPL

Site administrator(s) control at the server level

idiom.MAILTPL

Intended for translation to other languages

Can also provide common messages for related lists Site administrator(s) control at the server level

listname.MAILTPL

Specific to a single list

List owner(s) may change for their own list(s)

E-mail Message Template Files (2)

When an event triggers LISTSERV’s creation and sending of a template-generated message, LISTSERV

Looks first in listname.MAILTPL

If not found, looks next in idiom.MAILTPL If not found, looks next in SITE.MAILTPL

If not found, looks finally in DEFAULT.MAILTPL

A few (error) messages are hard-coded and not found in

*.MAILTPL. Such messages cannot be customized / modified.

Documented in section 9 of Site Manager's Manual

Editing E-mail Message Template Files

DEFAULT.MAILTPL

System file (master copy; replaced during updates; do not edit)

SITE.MAILTPL

System-Wide edits of DEFAULT.MAILTPL (Server Admin only)

idiom.MAILTPL

GET/PUT by e-mail (Server Admin only)

Edit file directly on the server (Server Admin only) Edit via LISTSERV’s Web interface listname.MAILTPL

GET/PUT by e-mail

Edit via LISTSERV’s Web interface

Another E-mail Message and Corresponding Template

Subject: You are now subscribed to the EASE-HOME list Thu, 8 Aug 2002 17:49:14 Your subscription to the EASE-HOME list (L-Soft EASE Home Support Forum) has been accepted.Message:

Template:

>>> SIGNUP1 You are now subscribed to the &LISTNAME list .re owners &WEEKDAY, &DATE &TIME Your subscription to the &LISTNAME list (&TITLE) has been accepted. .im $SIGNUP

Tools Available When Editing Templates

Substitution variables &LISTNAME

&MYHOST &OWNER

Formatting commands

.FO ON, .FO OFF [FOrmatting ON, FOrmatting OFF]

.CE text [CEnters text entered on same line as command]

Conditional Blocks

.BB logical test [Begin Block] .EB [End Block]

Editing E-mail Templates through the Web

Editing E-mail Templates through the Web (2)

Editing E-mail Templates through the Web (3)

Another E-mail Message and Template

Subject: You have been added to the EASE-HOME list Thu, 8 Aug 2002 17:49:14 You have been added to the EASE-HOME mailing list (L-Soft EASE Home Support Forum) by Ben Parker <b p arker@LSOFT.COM >.Message:

Template:

>>> ADD1 You have been added to the &LISTNAME list .re owners .cc off &WEEKDAY, &DATE &TIME You have been added to the &LISTNAME mailing list (&TITLE) by &MBX(&INVOKER). .im $SIGNUP

Editing E-mail Templates through the Web (4)

E-mail Templates for One or Multiple Lists

listname.MAILTPL

Affects only a single list

Must be repeated for every new list

Changes must be made to each list, one at a time

idiom.MAILTPL

Affects multiple lists (i.e., any list configured with Language=

idiom in its header)

A new list can use the same templates immediately

Changes made in the single template once, affect all lists in the same group simultaneously

Originally designed for national languages, but also works for any group of lists sharing similar configuration / purpose

Example of idiom: ONE-WAY.MAILTPL

ftp://ftp.lsoft.com/CONTRIB/one-way.mailtpl

Download and install in x:\LISTSERV\MAIN

Add the following line to site.catalog:

one-way.mailtpl x:\listserv\main\one-way.mailtpl CTL CTL

Add

Language=One-Way

to the configuration (header) of each list to which it should apply (Requires Site Admin Privileges)

Example of idiom: ONE-WAY.MAILTPL

What we have covered so far …

Customizing LISTSERV’s e-mail message templates (*.MAILTPL)

… and what’s next

Customizing LISTSERV’s Web page templates (*.WWWTPL)

Creating customized Web sign-up pages

Implementing a super-list / sub-list architecture

Using list topics

Customizing LISTSERV’s Web Page Templates

(*.WWWTPL)

*.MAILTPL templates are used to generate e-mail messages

*.WWWTPL templates are used to generate the dynamic pages used in the LISTSERV Web interface

The vast majority of the pages in the Web interface are dynamically generated HTML:

header (includes style sheet, logos, layout)

page contents

trailer (includes links back, logos)

Dynamic Web Page Template Example

INDEX page

Dynamic Web Page Template Example

INDEX page (edit mode)

Editing Web Page Templates

Editing *.WWWTPL templates requires basic knowledge of HTML formatting and coding

Like *.MAILTPL templates, *.WWWTPL templates use:

Substitution variables (&+LISTNAME, &+MYHOST, etc.)

Included (or “nested”) templates (+IM template)

Conditional blocks (+BB, +EB)

Editing Web Page Templates (2)

Always Edit via the Web interface

Templates are available at both the list & site-wide level

List-specific templates are accessible to the list owner(s)

Site-wide templates are accessible only by the site administrator(s)

WWW Template Files

DEFAULT.WWWTPL

Dynamic Web templates

A LISTSERV system file (replaced during updates)

SITE.WWWTPL

Site-Wide edits of DEFAULT.WWWTPL (Site Admins only)

idiom.WWWTPL

Intended for translation to other languages

Can also provide common messages for related lists Site administrator(s) control at the server level

listname.WWWTPL

Specific to a single list

List owner(s) may change for their own list(s)

Editing Web Page Templates (3)

When an event triggers LISTSERV’s generation of a dynamic Web page, LISTSERV

Looks first in listname.WWWTPL

If not found, looks next in idiom.WWWTPL If not found, looks next in SITE.WWWTPL

If not found, looks finally in DEFAULT.WWWTPL Documented in section 9 of L-Soft’s Site Manager’s Manual

Editing Web Page Templates (4)

Editing Web Page Templates (5)

Insert Logo HTML code hereEditing Web Page Templates (6)

Editing Web Page Templates (7)

… and what’s next

Customizing LISTSERV’s Web page templates (*.WWWTPL)

Creating customized Web sign-up pages

LISTSERV’s Built-In Web Sign-Up Form

A Simpler (kinder?) Web Sign-Up Form

… and what’s next

Customizing LISTSERV’s Web page templates (*.WWWTPL)

Creating customized Web sign-up pages

Implementing a super-list / sub-list architecture

Using list topics

Multi-List Organization

Need to have lists for organization sub-units as well as overall lists.

e.g. All campus, All Faculty, All Staff, All Students, Faculty-by-Dept, Students-by-class/year, etc.

Super-Lists/Sub-Lists (multiple lists)

Topics (single list)

Multi-List Organization (2)

NATIONAL REGION1 REGION2 REGION3 DLR11 DLR12 DLR21 DLR22 DLR31 DLR32

Automobile Manufacturer

Groups: Dealer/Owner, Office, Sales, Service, Parts

The Super-List / Sub-List Architecture

Creates an ‘umbrella’ (“super-list”) for addressing a defined set of existing separate lists (“sub-lists”)

Each List is a separate list

Maintains complete administrative autonomy of multiple discrete lists organized by topic, organizational unit, etc.

The “super-list” serves as a mechanism for addressing all subscribers of all “sub-lists” simultaneously, via a single e-mail message to a single address

Super-List / Sub-List Advantages

Provides automatic de-duplication

Even if an e-mail address is subscribed to multiple “sub-lists,” that address will only receive a single copy of a message sent to the “super-list”

Avoids mis-identification as spam

Each posting to a “super-list” is treated as a single posting to a single list, no matter how many “sub-lists” are defined to receive the posting

Postings are thus not subject to LISTSERV’s anti-spam quarantine

Super-List / Sub-List Challenges

Access

“Super-lists” constitute an extremely powerful tool

“Super-list” creation and access should be protected accordingly

Appropriate use

“Super-lists” are wide-reaching

Over-use / mis-use / abuse is exponentially more serious for a “super-list” than for a “sub-list”

Security

“Super-lists” are attractive targets for crackers Potential exposure is exponentially greater

Super-List / Sub-List Challenges(2)

Message archives stored with super-list

May not be accessible to all sub-list(s) subscribers

Sub-list definition requires LISTSERV administrative privilege

List owners usually cannot create or modify this on-the-fly

Error bounce processing keyed to super-list

Some (many / most / all) e-mail addresses receiving a posting are not directly subscribed to the super-list

Must determine sub-list(s) to which recipient is subscribed

Sub-Lists Defined in the Top Level "Super"-List Configuration

Sub-Lists: defined

Archives/Posting Access in the "Super"-List Configuration

Sub-Lists: Allowed to Post Sub-Lists: Archives Access

Middle-Level "Super"-List Configuration

Sub-Lists: @ Lower level

Using Topics: (subdivisions within a single list)

Defined by the Topics= list configuration keyword How “topics” work:

List owner defines “topic” keywords

List subscribers SET to appropriate “topic”(s)

Sender uses “topic” keyword(s) in Subject: field of posting LISTSERV detects “topic” keyword(s) in Subject:

LISTSERV distributes posting to only those subscribers SET to receive the “topic” referenced in the Subject: field

List Topics: DefinedTopics Defined in List Configuration

Topics Advantages

A single list can have multiple recipient segments (subject-specific, organizationally based, etc.) with only a sub-set of all list messages intended for and delivered to each segment

List content for any specific recipient can be closely tailored to that recipient’s needs / desires, based on proper selection of “topics” settings

If list messages are archived, all information is available for all subscribers, regardless of “topics” settings

Topics Challenges

List “topics” are limited (23) and need to be carefully chosen

“Topics” definitions and usage need to be clearly explained in advance to both senders and recipients

Senders need to be precise in use of Topics keywords – LISTSERV is unforgiving of spelling and syntax errors

Senders should be careful in choice of “topics” used – imprecise / injudicious use will negate effectiveness

If list is archived, all topics are available to all subscribers – may not be appropriate in all cases

Multi-List Organization (3)

NATIONAL REGION1 REGION2 REGION3 DLR11 DLR12 DLR21 DLR22 DLR31 DLR32

Automobile Manufacturer

Groups: Dealer/Owner, Office, Sales, Service, Parts

Nested Super-/Sub- lists

Topics= DLR,OFC,SLS,SVC,PTS

What We Will Cover in this Course:

Configuring LISTSERV lists for one-way announcements

Sending mail to one-way announcement lists

Customizing mail and web templates

Creating customized web sign-up pages

Using the super-list / sub-list architecture

Using topics

Thank you!

Thank you very much for your

attendance, attention, and participation!

For more information:

Send questions specific to this course offering, to the course list: asu@training.lsoft.com

Send questions about this and other L-Soft Training opportunities to: training@lsoft.com

Local Site Admins (only) may send general technical support questions to: support@lsoft.com

L-Soft international Inc.

http://www.lsoft.com/

sales@lsoft.com

Phone: +1 301 731 0440

Fax: +1 301 731 6302

Listserv Course 3042 Training Slides

(Advanced One-Way Announcement Lists)

What We Will Cover In this Course:

Configuring LISTSERV lists for one-way announcements

Creating customized web sign-up pages

Configuring LISTSERV Lists for One-Way Announcements

Requires LISTSERV site administration privilege

Requires LISTSERV list owner privilege

Consists of editing applicable configuration keywords

Configuring Your List

Send=

Send= email@address, Confirm

Subscription=

Subscription= Open, Confirm

Confidential=

Confidential= Yes

Other Configuration Options (selected): Security Keywords

sales.example.com,marketing.example.com

Notebook=

Yes

No

Notebook=

Other Configuration Options (selected): Access Control Keywords

Public / Private / Owner / Service / [etc.]

Other Configuration Options (selected): List Maintenance & Moderation Keywords

Other Configuration Options (selected): Subscription Keywords

Other Configuration Options (selected): Other Keywords

Language= ONE-WAY

Sending Mail to One-Way Announcement Lists

understanding Prime= (in the list configuration) and PrimeTime= (in LISTSERV’s site configuration)

Sending Mail: Controlling Who Can Send

news@example.com vs bill@example.com

Sending Mail: Controlling When It Can Be Sent

Understanding LISTSERV’s concept of “prime time:”

Sending Mail: Controlling When … Examples

Sending Mail:

Subject-Tag= GoodTimes_News

Example of a Template-Generated Message

Purpose of MAILTPL Messages

E-mail Message Template Files

E-mail Message Template Files (2)

Editing E-mail Message Template Files

Another E-mail Message and Corresponding Template

Tools Available When Editing Templates

Editing E-mail Templates through the Web

Editing E-mail Templates through the Web (4)

Example of idiom: ONE-WAY.MAILTPL

Example of idiom: ONE-WAY.MAILTPL

… and what’s next

Customizing LISTSERV’s Web page templates (*.WWWTPL)

Customizing LISTSERV’s Web Page Templates

(*.WWWTPL)

Dynamic Web Page Template Example

INDEX page

Editing Web Page Templates

Editing Web Page Templates (2)

WWW Template Files

Editing Web Page Templates (3)

Editing Web Page Templates (4)

Customizing LISTSERV’s Web page templates (*.WWWTPL)

Multi-List Organization

Need to have lists for organization sub-units as well as overall lists.

Multi-List Organization (2)

The Super-List / Sub-List Architecture

Super-List / Sub-List Advantages

Super-List / Sub-List Challenges

Super-List / Sub-List Challenges(2)

Sub-Lists Defined in the Top Level "Super"-List Configuration

List Topics: DefinedTopics Defined in List Configuration

Topics Challenges

Multi-List Organization (3)

What We Will Cover in this Course:

Configuring LISTSERV lists for one-way announcements

Creating customized web sign-up pages

Thank you!

Thank you very much for your

L-Soft international Inc.

sales@lsoft.com