Usenet is not the only forum on the Net. Scores of "mailing lists" represent another way to interact with other Net users. Unlike Usenet messages, which are stored in one central location on your host system's computer, mailing-list messages are delivered right to your e-mail box, unlike Usenet messages.
You have to ask for permission to join a mailing list. Unlike Usenet, where your message is distributed to the world, on a mailing list, you send your messages to a central moderator, who either re-mails it to the other people on the list or uses it to compile a periodic "digest" mailed to subscribers.
Given the number of newsgroups, why would anybody bother with a mailing list?
Even on Usenet, there are some topics that just might not generate enough interest for a newsgroup; for example, the Queen list, which is all about the late Freddie Mercury's band; or the Marillion & Fish list called "Freaks."
And because a moderator decides who can participate, a mailing list can offer a degree of freedom to speak one's mind (or not worry about net.weenies) that is not necessarily possible on Usenet. Several groups offer anonymous postings -- only the moderator knows the real names of people who contribute. Examples include 12Step, where people enrolled in such programs as Alcoholics Anonymous can discuss their experiences, and sappho, a list limited to gay and bisexual women.
You can find mailing addresses and descriptions of these lists in the news.announce.newusers newsgroup with the subject of "Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists." Mailing lists now number in the hundreds, so this posting is divided into three parts.
If you find a list to which you want to subscribe, send an e-mail message to
list-request@address
where "list" is the name of the mailing list and "address" is the moderator's e-mail address, asking to be added to the list. Include your full e-mail address just in case something happens to your message's header along the way, and ask, if you're accepted, for the address to mail messages to the list.
subscribe <list> [<address>]
Subscribe yourself (or <address> if specified) to the named <list>.
unsubscribe <list> [<address>]
Unsubscribe yourself (or <address> if specified) from the named <list>.
which [<address>]
Find out which lists you (or <address> if specified) are on.
who <list>
Find out who is on the named <list>.
info <list>
Retrieve the general introductory information for the named <list>.
lists
Show the lists served by this Majordomo server.
help
Retrieve this message.
end
Stop processing commands (useful if your mailer adds a signature).
Another common mailing list manager is "Listserv." Here are some of the commands Listserv understands:
Info <topic|listname> Order documentation Lists <Detail|Short|Global> Get a description of all lists SUBscribe listname <full name> Subscribe to a list SIGNOFF listname Sign off from a list SIGNOFF * (NETWIDE - from all lists on all servers REView listname <options> Review a list Query listname Query your subscription options SET listname options Update your subscription options INDex <filelist_name> Order a list of LISTSERV files GET filename filetype Order a file from LISTSERV
SPJ-Ethics - SPJ-Ethics is a mailing list created to focus and stimulate online debate about the proposed changes to the SPJ Code of Ethics. It has evolved to include discussions of hypothetical and real issues of journalism ethics. To subscribe, send mail to majordomo@dworkin.wustl.edu with the message: subscribe spj-ethics
WRITERS - The WRITERS list is an open, unmoderated electronic workshop for discussions of the art and craft of writing and sharing of works in progress. As might be expected, writers tend to write quite a lot, so be prepared for plenty of mail. To subscribe to writers, send mail to the Listserv listserv@mitvma.mit.edu.
BONG-L - EBONG, the E-mail version of Burned Out Newspapercreatures' Guild, is a newsletter for professional journalists. To subscribe send mail to the Majordomo listerv@netcom.com.
CARR-L - Computer-assisted Reporting & Research - To subscribe send mail to the Listserv listserv@ulkyvm.louisville.edu.
FOI-L - A list for journalists and others interested in freedom of information issues, access to meetings and the public's right to know. A project of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, this discussion group runs out of the S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University. To subscribe send mail to the Listserv listserv@listserv.syr.edu.
IRE-L - General discussion about investigative reporting. Frequented by members of the professional organization, Investigative Reporters and Editors, IRE. To subscribe send mail to the Listserv listserv@mizzou1.missouri.edu.
NIT - NIT is the Houston Chronicle's New Information Technology mailing list. This is a private, professional mailing list intended primarily to facilitate discussions among members of the Society of Professional Journalists' New Information Technologies committee, at least initially. To facilitate our discussion and our exploration of the ways in which professional journalists are using high technology, selected members of the profession will from time to time be invited to join the list. Please feel free to sponsor anyone you think would be a high-quality addition. To subscribe to this list, send electronic mail to the address: nit-approval@chron.com.
COPYEDITING-L - Copyediting-L is a list for copy editors and other defenders of the English language who want to discuss anything related to editing: sticky style issues; newspaper, technical, and other specialized editing; reference books; client relations; Internet resources; electronic editing and software; freelance issues; and so on. It is an unmoderated list, but only subscribers can send messages to the list. To subscribe send mail to the Listserv listproc@cornell.edu.
FREELANCE - Freelance@newshare.com is an E-mail list for independent journalists and non-fiction writers who want to: A) Exchange information about how to succeed as professional writers; B) Obtain news and tips about emerging markets for their work and C) Exchange articles among each other and with the public both for sale and for feedback/advice. To subcribe send mail to: owner-freelance@newshare.com. Including your name and address and a few words about your interests.
GUILDNET-L - This is an unmoderated list aimed at members of the news media and journalists for discussion of working conditions in the journalism industry. That includes unionism, labor/management, health and safety, pay and equity and other related issues. To subscribe send mail to the Majordomo Majordomo@acs.ryerson.ca.
SHOPTALK - Actually not a discussion group but a newsletter sent to your e-mail five days a week. Highly recommended for electronic journalists. Published by headhunter and TV news consultant Don Fitzpatrick, and now distributed over the Internet by the Newhouse School, Syracuse University. Includes trend stories, job changes and reprints from newspaper articles on what's happening in various markets. To subscribe send mail to the Listserv listserv@listserv.syr.edu.
Last update 26 February 1996
http://www.ccrc.wustl.edu/spj/surf/mailinglists.html
Prepared by Lorrie Faith Cranor (lorracks@cs.wustl.edu) and Staci D. Kramer (sdk@cris.com)