Mailing Lists

A mailing list is an electronic agreement between many people with similar interests. One person agrees to have the host computer, and everyone else agrees to subscribe to the list. Each day, subscribers send their messages to the host computer; then the host's mailing list program sends out copies to every subscriber on the list. Unlike newsgroups and other Web-based bulletin boards, chat or discussion groups, non-subscribers cannot read the messages of the list.

LISTSERV, LISTPROC or MajorDomo are programs that run mailing lists. Each accomplishes the same thing, but may use different command instructions. You must type the command instructions exactly, or you will only get an error message back. (You know how dumb computers are unless you tell them EXACTLY RIGHT!)

To subscribe to a mailing list, send a message to the host computer's address. Leave the Subject header blank; filling it in confuses the computer. In the body of the message type:

subscribe listname Your Name

this works for LISTSERV and LISTPROC.
Note: If a list run by MajorDomo, type instead:

subscribe listname your_Email@address

There are over 50 professional mailing lists run for, or by nurses. You can find an index with instructions on how to join on this page,, which is part of Ron Ward's Nursing and HealthCare Resources on the Internet Here's how to subscribe to PERIOP...

If you have a choice, cut and paste instead of retyping the address; you're less likely to make a mistake. The entire message can be in lower case letters; these three programs are not case sensitive.

Once subscribed, you will automatically receive a welcome/orientation message. DO NOT ERASE IT! SAVE IT and file it somewhere because it contains instructions on how to unsubscribe or temporarily stop the mail. Otherwise, this mail comes every day!

I have my daily mail come in digest form, so I only get one long message instead of 20-80 separate ones. Instructions for changing the way you receive your mail are included in the welcome message.

This page created by: Bob Baxter RN, CNOR

Note: These Web pages are a small sample of a day long presentation I developed about the impact of the Internet on health professionals. If you would like for me to come and present it for your chapter or state council, contact me by E-mail above (click on my name), or send a "snail mail" message to me care of:

Box 446
Mukilteo, WA 98275