How Do I Join a Mailing List?

To join an electronic mailing list, you have to subscribe. Although specific commands will vary for different lists, the general process is the same. In this example, we will subscribe to the Scout Report, a weekly listing of Internet resources.

To subscribe to the Scout Report,

1. Address an email message to: listserv@hypatia.cs.wisc.edu

2. Leave the subject line blank

3. In the body of the message, type: subscribe scout-report Your Name
   
   *Replace Your Name with your name. If subscribe doesn't work, try signon

Verification & Confirmation Messages

• Verification messages. Increasingly, mailing lists are using a verification process to make sure subscribers' email addresses work correctly. If the mailing list you are joining requires verification, you will automatically receive a verification notice. Typically, you only need to reply to the message for your subscription to be verified.

• Confirmation messages. Confirmation messages are sometimes called welcome messages because they introduce you to the list and explain general guidelines for participating. Read this message carefully and save a copy for future reference. These confirmation messages include instructions for sending messages to the list, retrieving archived conversations, and canceling your subscription. Following the instructions in the confirmation messages can save you embarrassing moments later on.

The Master Internet Volunteer Program was developed by the University of Minnesota Extension Service and was adapted for use in North Dakota with permission. Copyright  © 2001  North Dakota State University. All rights reserved.

North Dakota State University Extension Service