Getting Started Guide for LISTSERV
- What is Listserv
- Should I select LISTSERV® or a Office 365 list?
- I forgot my password. How do I get a new one?
- How can I set my personal web page preferences?
- How do I find out what lists are available?
- How do I subscribe to (join) a list?
- How do I send a message to a list?
- How do I unsubscribe from a list?
- How can I filter Listserv messages?
- How can I start my own list?
- Can an outside organization get a LISTSERV list?
- Where can I obtain more information?
What is LISTSERV®?
LISTSERV by L-Soft is e-mail list management software. LISTSERV offers a variety of e-mail list types including announcement-only and discussion groups (moderated or unmoderated).
LISTSERV allows list owners to maintain their lists through e-mail or web-browser interfaces. List subscribers can control personal list settings through a simple web interface. The list archives are available online. List subscribers can read and send messages via e-mail or through the web interface.
Listserv offers the following:
- Moderated lists.
- Allows users to self-subscribe or unsubscribe.
- Allows non-University of Iowa subscribers.
- Provides online archives.
- Allows you. the list-owner, to administer the list yourself.
- Provides a facility to advertise your list publicly.
See LISTSERV® features for more detailed information.
Should I select LISTSERV® or a Office 365 list?
Office 365 lists can be automatically generated and are ideal for many departmental lists.
Listserv is preferable if you need any of the following:
- A moderated list.
- Allow users to self-subscribe or unsubscribe.
- Have non-University of Iowa subscribers.
- Want online archives.
- Administer the list yourself.
- Want to advertise your list publicly.
I forgot my password. How do I get a new one?
- Open your web browser to https://list.uiowa.edu
- The first time you see the screen Login Required you will have to create a LISTSERV e-mail address and password
- Click Register Password
- On the "Register LISTSERV Password" screen enter your E-mail Address and desired Password
- The e-mail address you enter here must match the From: address supplied by your e-mail system, usually firstname-lastname@uiowa.edu.
- LISTSERV allows you to set one password for all of your lists. The password can be up to 260 characters in length and contain the characters A-Z 0-9 $#@_-?!|%
This password is unique to LISTSERV, i.e., it is not synched with your e-mail or HawkID password. - Once you enter the required information, click Register Password.
- You will see the message "For your protection, the password will not be activated just yet (anyone could have completed this form using your e-mail address)."
- To activate your password, simply follow the instructions that have been e-mailed to you.
Please wait until you receive a message from LISTSERV saying "Your new password was registered successfully" before trying to use it with the WWW interface.
- Once your password has been registered, click Log In.
- In the "Login Required Window", enter your email address and password and select Log In.
Don't forget to Log Out at the end of your session.
How can I set my personal web page preferences?
The web page preferences allow you to set things such as your default start page. To view or change your preferences:
- Click Preferences on the left side of the screen.
- You will have the option to change preferences on the tabs for General, Archives, Reports and Newsletters. For more detailed information, click the Help Icon (?).
How do I find out what lists are available?
The most common way to find out about lists is from other reference materials such as journals, co-workers, friends, or perhaps your professor provides you with the address of your class list.
Local, non-confidential LISTSERV lists may be browsed on the web.
- Go to the Listserv Home page.
Some list owners have elected to keep their listname confidential. If you know the listname and do not see it in the Online Mailing List Archives,
- Click Listserv Archives
- Enter the name of the list in the "Access Unlisted Lists:" field and click Search
You can also obtain the list of local, non-confidential lists via e-mail:
- Address an e-mail message to listserv@list.uiowa.edu
- Put the following in the body of the message:
lists
How do I subscribe to (join) a list?
- Go to the LISTSERV Home page.
- Click on the listname or if the list is unlisted enter the listname in the Search field for Access Unlisted Lists.
- Click the icon
- Click Subscribe or Unsubscribe.
- Enter your Name and Email Address.
- Click on the Subscribe (listname) button.
- A confirmation message will be sent to your e-mail address asking you to confirm your subscription request. Confirm your subscription request by clicking on the first link in the body of the message.
NOTE: The e-mail address you enter on the Subscribe or Unsubscribe page must match the From: address, usually firstname-lastname@uiowa.edu.
You can also subscribe (join) or unsubscribe (sign-off) via e-mail:
- Address an e-mail message to listserv@list.uiowa.edu
- Put the following in the body of the message:
subscribe listname yourfirstname yourlastname - A confirmation message will be sent to your e-mail address asking you to confirm your subscription request. Confirm your subscription request by clicking on the first link in the body of the message.
How do I post (send messages) to a list?
Once you have subscribed to the list, you can post messages to the list through the web interface or by sending e-mail to listname@list.uiowa.edu.
Using the web browser interface:
- Go to the LISTSERV Home page.
- Select the list you wish to post to.
- Log in with Listserv email address and password.
- Click the icon
- Click on Post Message
- Select type of message to send - HTML or Plain Text
- Click on the checkbox next to Send a copy of the message to yourself.
- Click Advanced if you wish to send an attachment with your message
- Click Hide Advanced to return to the message screen
- Type your message
- Click Send Message.
Using E-Mail
- Create a new message and type the listname@list.uiowa.edu in the To field.
- Type the subject of the message
- Type the text of the message
- Click Send.
Note: Lists can be set to:
- Public - Anyone can post to the list.
- Private - Only list members can send to the list.
- Editor - Messages will be reviewed by a moderator to be approved or denied. This is also used for "Announce-only" lists.
- Public, Auto-responder - The list simply responds with a set message.
How do I unsubscribe from (leave) a list?
Using the web browser interface
- Go to the LISTSERV Home Page.
- Select the list you wish to unsubscribe from or search in the Access Unlisted Lists:
- Click the icon
- Select Subscribe or Unsubscribe
Using e-mail:
- Address an e-mail message to listserv@list.uiowa.edu
- Put the following in the body of the message: signoff listname
- Do not include your name or e-mail address in the body of the signoff message.
Note: When you leave the University, you can use the command signoff * (signoff followed by a space and asterisk) to unsubscribe from all lists you have joined.
How can I filter LISTSERV messages?
My inbox is getting overloaded. Is there an easy way to automatically move (filter) these messages into another mailbox?
Yes. See How to Filter E-mail Messages.
How can I start my own list?
All University of Iowa faculty, staff, students, and recognized student organizations are eligible to start new lists with departmental approval.
Before requesting a new list, please:
- Review The LISTSERV policy statement.
- Review the List Request Form Help before filling in your application. This document contains listname recommendations and other important information.
- Complete the Request for a LISTSERV Mailing List
Can an outside organization get a LISTSERV list?
The list owner must be affiliated with the University and get the appropriate signatures/approvals by their department.
Where can I obtain more information?
Information, including all of the L-Soft manuals, is available at UI LISTSERV Documentation.