Middle Tennessee State University ListProc Information

Frequently Asked Question
About ListProc for First-Time Mailing List Owners

What is a Listserver?

A list server is a type of software. A list-server program calledListProc handles the mailing lists. ListProc is short for CREN's (Corporation for Research and Educational Networking) UNIX ListProcessor software.

What is ListProc?

ListProc is the name of the list-server software that MTSU has chosen to automate its users' electronic mailing lists. ListProc is a product of CREN a registered Service Mark of the Corporation for Research and Education Networking. LISTSERV is a trademark that is sometimes used generically to refer to all list servers.

What is a mailing list (discussion list)?

A mailing list is a discussion group where members exchange messages about a specific topic using electronic mail. A message sent to the list, a single central address, is sent to all of the people subscribed to the list.

Who is a mailing list owner?

A mailing list owner is a person who oversees the functions of a mailing list. List owners have certain responsibilities (which the subscribers to the list do not have).

List owners configure the list's parameters and deal with bounced mail. Be prepared to spend at least 30 minutes every day or two maintaining a list that has global participation.

There can be more that one list owner for a single list.

Who may become a mailing list owner?

You may become an owner if you are affiliated with the university. You can be faculty, staff or an administrator. The purpose of the list should support the mission of MTSU.

Why should I become a mailing list owner?

Discussion groups offer an efficient way to exchange information to large numbers of people and discuss important topics. Such lists are used widely to coordinate classes, assign and receive homework, run committees and discuss topics of common inte rest. This is an easy way to reach a lot of people quickly by automating the distribution of electronic mail to all those who subscribe to the mailing list.

May I own more than one list?

You may own as many mailing lists as you like, within reason.

How do I become a mailing list owner?

Before requesting that a mailing list be created for you, you must gather some information. See the Owner's Checklist at http://www.mtsu.edu/~listadm.