How to Edit an E-mail List (aka Listserve)

These directions assume you have an already existing list that you want to add to or delete from. If you are starting a list from scratch, see the instructions for creating a distribution list.

  1. Go into your Dolphin account using SecureCRT or Kerberized telnet.

  2. At the "Main Menu" prompt, type unix and press enter.

  3. You'll be at a lengthy prompt ending with a $ or %. Change to the alias subdirectory by typing cd alias and press enter. Now you'll be at a prompt ending with /alias.

  4. If you don't know the name of your listserve file (that is, the actual list of e-mail addresses to which the mail is sent), look for a file ending with the extension .list by typing ls and pressing enter. The ls (list) command will show you the contents of your alias directory.

  5. Once you have identified the .list file you want to edit, go into the pico editor by typing pico xxxxx.list and pressing enter. (Use your filename in place of the xxxxx). That should open your list of addresses in an editing window.

  6. Make your changes. Then type ctrl+o to write-Out the file. Press enter to confirm the filename.

  7. Exit the file with ctrl+x and your edited list should now be active -- UNLESS it is a restricted list (that is, a list to which only you and those you authorize can send mail, while everyone on the list receives it). If yours is a restricted list, see the next step. If it's an unrestricted list, you're finished and can logout.

  8. A restricted list must be updated whenever changes are made. To do this, at the unix prompt type list-menu and choose Update Restricted List from the list of options. Your edited list should now be ready to use and you can logout.

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walker@pobox.upenn.edu