Guidelines

    Academic WWW Server

    Spectrum is Troy State University's Academic World Wide Web Server. This server is provided and administered by TSU's MIS Department. The Academic World Wide Web Steering Committee assists with the administrative tasks associated with the Spectrum Server.  

    The Academic World Wide Web Server Steering Committee has several functions including:  

    •  Create an appropriate image for Troy State University's Academic World Wide Web Server.  
    •  Design and provide an easy to use, standard interface for the broad campus community to access services found on the Academic WWW Server.   
    •  Provide a tool for support of pedagogy on the Troy State University campus.  
    •  Serve as a vehicle for access and dissemination of scholarly communication.  
    •  Plan training and provide examples and templates for TSU's faculty so that they will be able to take advantage of this resource.  
    •  Establish standards and help the director of MIS develop policies and guidelines for the use of the Academic WWW Server so that the server will be a well-managed and appropriate campus resource.  

    Since everything "published" on the Web potentially can be viewed by a world wide audience, the Academic WWW Steering Committee helps explore issues related to the server as they emerge. In addition, the committee guides and directs the Academic Web Master in resolving issues as they arise concerning the proper and potential use of the server, institutional image presented on the server and freedom of expression. The Academic WWW Steering Committee reports to TSU's director of MIS.  

      

    Majordomo

    Troy State University's Academic World Wide Web server allows faculty members to use automated electronic mail to enhance their teaching responsibilities. Most people think of "List Servers" when automated email systems are being discussed. The Majordomo software, written by Brent Chapman, is another program used to manage mailing lists.    

    While Majordomo is similar in functionality to the better known "LISTSERV" program found on major Internet host computers around the world, there are some differences. Some of the features and differences are discussed below.   

    What is a list server?

    A list server (or more properly, a mail reflector) is a program designed to accept mail messages and to redistribute them to a predefined list of mail recipients. In such a way, a single message may be distributed to many individuals. List servers often maintain a number of different lists, each with a separate name, purpose, distribution (or membership) list, and characteristics.    

    One of the strong features of list servers is that they are "smart" enough to keep records on all registered list servers. This means that you can give "global" commands where all known list servers are searched for the information you request.   

    What is Majordomo?

    Majordomo is a system-independent distribution list management system. As a system-independent program, Majordomo does not support "global" commands with other Majordomos around the world. This means that every Majordomo is an autonomous unit on the Internet. This does not mean that Majordomo is difficult to use.   

    A majordomo automatically handles routine tasks such as forwarding mail to list members, archiving messages for future reference, and subscriptions and unsubscriptions. As well, each list, once established, can be controlled by the list owner via electronic mail.   

    The list owner is the person (or persons) who will run day-to-day operations of a mailing list by responding to mail messages from Majordomo. Each mailing list operated by Majordomo must have its own list owner(s).   

    Majordomo supports open, closed, and auto lists. A subscription request sent to an open list will be approved automatically. Only if the request specifies an address different from the one in their e-mail header (the address from which they sent the subscribe command) will the request be referred to the list owner for approval.    

    Requests for subscriptions to closed lists will be sent to the list owner for approval. Only after the list owner has approved the subscription request and resubmitted it to Majordomo will the subscription process be complete.   

    An auto list has the absolute minimum of maintenance (but also a minimum of security). All subscription or unsubscription requests will be honored without any input from the list owner. For example, anyone can subscribe or unsubscribe anyone else.   

    Majordomo has public and private lists. In a public list, subscribers have access to information about other subscribers through the who and which commands; in a private list, they don't. When a list is private, only subscribers can use the archive commands index and get .   

    As well, Majordomo supports unmoderated and moderated lists. If a list is unmoderated, all messages sent to the list are immediately forwarded to other list members with no list owner intervention. If the list is moderated, all messages sent to the list will be forwarded to the list owner for review. Only after the list owner has approved a message will it be submitted to the list for distribution.   

    The owner can potentially receive four types of messages: requests to approve subscriptions (or unsubscriptions), requests to approve messages to the list, notifications of successful subscriptions or unsubscriptions, and bounces (messages sent to the list that weren't delivered). Which of these the owner receives, and how many, depends on the setup of the list (and of course, how many members the list has).    

    Common User commands

    Majordomo accepts a small set of non-administrative commands. Commands available include ones that allow individuals to enquire about lists distributed from the list server, and to subscribe to and unsubscribe from specific lists. Commands should be sent in the body of an email message to majordomo@spectrum.troy.edu.    

    subscribe <list> 
    Subscribe yourself to the named <list>. 
    unsubscribe <list> 
    Unsubscribe yourself from the named <list>. 
    which <string> 
    Reports the lists to which you (if <string> is omitted) or others (if <string> is any part of an email address) are subscribed. 
    who <list> 
    Find out who is subscribed to the named <list>. 
    info <list> 
    Retrieve general introductory information for the named <list>. 
    index <list> 
    Gives a listing of files in the archive for the named <list>. 
    get list filename 
    Requests that the file named filename is mailed to you from the list archive.  
    help 
    Retrieve a summary of Majordomo user commands. 
    end 
    Tell Majordomo to stop processing commands. This command is useful if your mailer adds a signature at the end of a mail message. 

    Note: Commands in the Subject: line are NOT processed.    

    Caution: Users of Troy State University's Academic WWW Server (Spectrum) Majordomo mailing lists should send all commands to:    majordomo@spectrum.troy.edu

    NEVER send commands to the mailing list address (e.g., never to list_name@spectrum.troy.edu)! Only messages intended for members of the list should be sent to the list address.    

    Creating a Majordomo Mailing List

    The Majordomo software does not actually create mailing lists since this is a task that requires the Spectrum Academic WWW Server's Web Master to edit some important system files. If you want to create a mailing list on the Spectrum, you should start the approval process by sending an email message to the Academic Web Master on the Spectrum Internet host computer from your Trojan account, addressed to:    webmaster@spectrum.troy.edu

    The body of the email message must include:   

    • Your name
    • Your email address
    • Your campus address
    • Your campus telephone number
    • Your "suggested" name for the new mailing list
    • If the new list is to be open, closed or auto (see above)
    • If the list is to be moderated or unmoderated (see above)
    • The name and email address of the "list owner"
    • A password for your list if it is "closed" or "moderated" (this MUST NOT be your Trojan password).
    • An expiration date for your list to be removed from the Spectrum machine.

    In addition, your message should describe how this list will be used to improve instruction, your department, students, unit, school, college, campus or TSU's Mission Statment. Lists clearly related to TSU's teaching mission or that complement TSU's Mission Statement will be added as soon as possible. Requests for lists that are not clearly related to TSU's classroom instruction or to the Mission Statement will be referred to the Academic World Wide Web Steering Committee for review.   

    For More Help...

    If you are a list owner and run into problems, you should not feel abandoned on the side of the Information Superhighway! The Spectrum Academic WWW Server is meant to simplify the management of mailings lists at Troy State University. To report a problem with your list, contact the Academic Web Master at webmaster@spectrum.troy.edu.