Mailing lists service

Introduction

The mailing list service provided by Computing Services enables the creation and management of central email discussion and distribution lists. Central mailing lists have the advantage over personal lists that any member of a list (or indeed anyone with an email account, depending on the configuration of the list) can post messages for distribution to the list's subscribers. If you are a member of the college it is likely that you are already subscribed to some college-wide lists.

Click here to go to the Mailing list service.

The mailing lists are managed by software called Sympa which runs as part of the college central email service and which has its own web interface providing a convenient and user-friendly way of working with lists.

Using the Mailing List Service

To use the mailing list service you must login to Sympa using the college IDcheck web sign-on utility.

On-line help is available on all aspects of using Sympa via the Help link in the top right corner of the page.

Joining a Mailing List

The easiest way to join an existing mailing list is to log in to Sympa and choose it from the list of lists. Please note that there are many private lists which may not allow you to subscribe to them, for these lists you will need to contact the list owner.

Creating Your Own List.

To set up your own mailing list, click on the Apply for list link in the top right hand corner of the page, then fill in the online form carefully. Your application will be reviewed by the college postmaster.

Mailing lists can generally be used in two ways; to stimulate and encourage discussion or to disseminate information. It is as well to be aware of the pros and cons each way of operation before applying.

Mailing lists are extremely useful in disseminating information to interested parties and those likely to be affected by change as well as providing feedback to those effecting the change. In this case, replies will need to go to the originator of the list and not to the whole list. A pitfall to be aware of is, for example, acknowledgements of receipt of information being circulated to the whole list rather than just the originator. This could cause a subscriber to receive replies from all of the subscribers to the list and several complaints!

There are also great benefits in using a distribution list for generating discussion amongst several subscribers with mutual interests. In this case the discussion should be seen by the entire mailing list because of the potential benefits to the whole list and also of course to enable other subscribers to join in the discussion.

So, if you want to disseminate information you should arrange for replies go just to the originator of the message. If the need is to stimulate discussion then replies should go to the whole list.

Typically, adding subscribers can either be done by the owner (find your list, click on the list name and use the Review subscribers link in the list admin panel). Additionally, if your list permits it, by subscribers discovering your list and adding themselves by using the Subscribe link.

Sending Messages To A List

Mail can be sent to a mailing list using a standard email client, by addressing the message to listname@qmul.ac.uk. For example, to send to the Course Organisers mailing list, email should be sent to course-organisers@qmul.ac.uk.

Are there any additional useful features of Sympa?

There is a limited email interface. To receive additional help about that interface please send a message to sympa@qmul.ac.uk with a subject of "HELP".

In addition to the email interface, it can: