A mailing list is simply a single email address which redirects mail to many other email addresses. To be a bit more precise, an automated process accepts mail sent to that address, processes it, and resends it to a list of addresses. Internet mailing lists are most often used for discussion groups centered on a specific topic, in which case every subscriber can post to the list. For newsletter distribution, only the author can post and the subscribers just read.

An Internet mailing list IS a group of people who have voluntarily joined together to discuss a subject of common interest. The key word is "voluntarily".

Many of the mailing lists hosted by DrugSense are not open to the public. Requests for subscription should usually be sent to the mailing list owner. Most of the lists offer explanatory web pages and a few provide online forms for subscription requests.

To reduce list volume, a few of the mailing lists hosted by DrugSense will not accept messages from subscribers. Some are "moderated", meaning, selected messages from subscribers are forwarded to the list by the list owner. Other one-way lists simply provide periodic news and updates from the list owner.

A digest is a periodic compilation of list messages. In the case of the DrugSense lists, the digests are actually separate mailing lists. Email sent to the list is compiled in the list's digest and sent out to digest subscribers in a single email containing between three to ten list messages.

Digests are great for people with Email management problems and for "lurkers", subscribers who read more than they write. Digest frequency is a function of list volume. If the list is busy, one or more digests may be sent out per day. If the list is not busy, the digest may go out every few days so digest subscribers risk being a bit behind list subscribers.

If you are on a list and would like to switch to the digest, unsubscribe from the list before subscribing to the digest. Similarly, if you are subscribed to a digest and would like to switch to the list, first unsubscribe from the digest.

To subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) any DrugSense mailing list, use the handy form below or send a message to containing the command:

subscribe <listname>

or

unsubscribe <listname>

majordomo - n: a person who speaks, makes arrangements, or takes charge for another. From Latin "major domus" - "master of the house".

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>.

get <list> <filename>

Get a file related to <list>.

index <list>

Return an index of files you can "get" for <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).