Bitnet/Internet Mailing Lists

Mailing lists are systems which pass on messages to subscribers who indicate their interest in receiving messages on a particular discussion topic. To send a message to the other subscribers to a mailing list, a subscriber sends that message to the mailing list server, which then sends copies of the message to all the other subscribers. The result is that everybody in the mailing list can read what everybody else posts, and discussion can flow freely. Unlike newsgroups, mailing lists allow control over who has access to read the messages. The mailing list owner can grant or deny access to the mailing list.

The way to subscribe to a mailing list depends on the host software:

• If the host site uses listserv software, the way to subscribe is to send a message with a blank subject and the text reading: SUBSCRIBE <listname> <yourname> to the address listed. You should put your E-mail address in the "subject" line of your message. If you wish to quit a Listserv, send a message reading UNSUBSCRIBE <listname> to the same address. 
• If the site is using ListProc software, the host will usually be called listproc@yyyyy.zzz. In this case, send a message with the text reading Subscribe <listname> <yourname>, just like ListServ. However, unlike ListServ, you should leave the "subject" line blank. 
• If the site is using MXServer, the host will usually be called xxxx-request@yyyyy.zzz, where xxxx is the name of the mailing list. In this case, simply send a message with a blank subject and the text reading: SUBSCRIBE to the address listed. If you wish to quit, send a message reading UNSUBSCRIBE to the same address. 
• If the site is using MajorDomo, the host will usually be called MajorDomo@yyyyy.zzz. In this case, simply send a message with a blank subject and the text reading: SUBSCRIBE <listname> to the address listed. If you wish to quit, send a message reading UNSUBSCRIBE <listname> to the same address. 
• If the site is using MailServ, the host will usually be called mailserv@yyyyy.zzz. In this case, send a message with the text reading Subscribe <listname>, just like with MajorDomo. 
• If the site is using Lyris, it will accept very nearly any form of command, as Lyris was designed to mimic the command sets of as many other mailing list programs as possible. One of the more common forms of the subscribe command in Lyris is to send a blank message to the address listname-subscribe@yyyyy.zzz.

It should be noted that the mailing lists listed here are not the only mailing lists on the Internet. There are also an unknown number of "private" mailing lists, where membership is by invitation only. These private lists may be focussed around a specific task, or may be the electronic equivalent of a cell group or small group Bible study. You may find that a correspondent invites you into such a group after getting to know you fairly well, or you may be invited into such a group in response to a message you post in a public mailing list or newsgroup.

• General Interest mailing lists
• Mailing lists related to the Arts, Music, & Entertainment
• Mailing lists related to the Bible
• Mailing lists related to Computers & Technology
• Computer Software Support mailing lists
• Mailing lists related to Denominations & other Christian Groups
• Mailing lists related to Education
• Mailing lists related to Family Life
• Mailing lists related to Geographic Locations
• Mailing lists related to Health
• Mailing lists in or about Languages other than English
• Mailing lists related to Ministry
• Mailing lists related to Missions, Relief & Development
• Mailing lists related to Music
• News mailing lists
• Mailing lists related to Prayer & Devotional Time
• Mailing lists related to Singles
• Mailing lists related to Theology
• Mailing lists containing devotionals, jokes, quotes, or some other Thought of the Day

To submit a mailing list to be included in this list, see the Discussion Area Update page.

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