From: SMTP%"RELAY-INFO-VAX@CRVAX.SRI.COM" 4-SEP-1993 10:19:04.92 To: EVERHART CC: Subj: mail server is moving... Date: Fri, 03 Sep 1993 17:30:35 EDT From: "Andy, Systems Manager" To: info-vax@kl.sri.com Cc: udaa055@elm.cc.kcl.ac.uk Message-Id: <00972008.7FD67F60.20688@elm.cc.kcl.ac.uk> Subject: mail server is moving... Dear All, The mailserver I maintain is moving to a new home shortly. As a result, requests should be sent to the new address, detailed below. A help file describing how to access the mail server is attached. Please note that you should use the new address from now; the old ones will remain for a short while but I have no control over how long they remain. They will be valid until at least the 13th Sep 1993. Existing mail server addresses (valid until mid to late september): VMSSERV @ OAK.CC.KCL.AC.UK VMSSERV @ ELM.CC.KCL.AC.UK VMSSERV @ ASH.CC.KCL.AC.UK New Address (valid from now): VMSSERV @ BAY.CC.KCL.AC.UK I apologize for the short notice on this announcement. Regards, Andy Harper Systems Manager Kings College London KING'S COLLEGE LONDON --- VMS FILE/MAIL SERVER ====================================================== OVERVIEW ======== Function -------- This server accepts commands embedded in electronic mail messages to distribute files and manage distribution lists automatically. The precise list of currently available files and lists can be obtained through the commands INDEX ! For the current list of files and packages and LISTS ! For the current list of public distribution lists These commands, and others, are described below. Message Format -------------- Each server command must be on a separate line in the body of the mail message; the subject line is ignored. Unrecognized commands or syntax errors are flagged with a descriptive error message and the command is otherwise ignored. After completing the processing of the commands in a mail message, a transaction log is returned to the user containing a summary of the user's commands, and the appropriate error messages and/or files sent back. COMMAND SUMMARY =============== The following commands are recognized by the server. General Information ------------------- HELp Return brief summary of the server commands or ? File Serving Commands --------------------- INDex Return a summary of files and packages available DIRectory [file] Return a directory of available files, showing their size in blocks and date of last modification. Wild cards are accepted but device/directory specifications are not. Default is *.* for all files. SEND filename Request that a specific file or package be sent back or GET filname from the server filestore. The filename can be any of those listed by the DIR or INDEX commands. See below for details of `package' files. List Serving Commands --------------------- LISts Summarize the supported distribution lists that are publically accessible. SUBscribe list forename surname or JOIn list forename surname or ADDme list forename surname Subscribe to a specific mailing list, identified by `list'. You will thereafter receive all message sent to the list. Note that it is necessary to supply both your forename and your surname. E.G John Smith Note, users with double barrelled surnames should use something other than a space to separate the names. For example "Van heflen" could be written as "Van-heflen" UNSubscribe list Remove your name from the specified mailing list. You or REMove list will no longer receive any messages sent to that list. or LEAve list Note that a single `*' is accepted and will remove you from all lists known to the server. RENew list Renew your subscription to the list; subscriptions will expire after a site dependent time (usually 6 months to a year). This command refreshes the subscription. Notices will be sent out just before the expiry date and on expiry. REView list Returns a list of people subscribed to the named mailing list. RETrieve list month year Returns all the archived messages sent to the list during the specified month and year. Month and year may be omitted, in which case the current month and year are assumed. Use this when you first join a list to pick up recent messages. Not all lists are configured to have their messages archived. Miscellaneous Commands ---------------------- END FINish QUIt Signify the end of server commands in the body of a message. No commands following this are processed. Useful if a mail signature is appended automatically to prevent attempts to process the signature as commands. FILE SERVICE ============ General ------- The server provides a series of files that may be requested using the GET or SENDME commands; the DIRECTORY command will summarize what is available, together with the last modified date and size in 512 byte blocks. The INDEX command will provide information about the contents of each file or package. Before requesting a package, ensure that you have sufficient space on your own system to receive the files you want. Add approximately 1 block (512) bytes per file to cover the overhead of the mail headers generated on the journey through the network. In order to minimize delays to other users, you are asked to limit the number of packages requested in a single mail message to five. Tnis is not enforced at present. If you wish to request more packages, please do so using several mail messages. Your cooperation will assist in providing a good response to all users. File Format ----------- You will find that many of the packages available are broken down into a number of smaller files to help ensure that the passage through the network does not truncate or lose data. It is your responsibility to determine the format in which these files are stored and to collect all the parts before extracting the contents. Tools like VMS_SHARE are often used by the file store maintainer to make it easier to pack and unpack files. This server stores all packages in VMS_SHARE format. VMS_SHARE itself is available from the server. Fetching Files and Packages --------------------------- To fetch a particular file named in the INDEX or DIRECTORY listings, use this command: SENDME filename "filename" is the name of the file required, in the form "name.type". Note that other portions of a file specification are not permitted, even if they are shown on an INDEX or DIRECTORY listing. For example: SENDME WAIT.TXT. The special file extension of .PACKAGE is used to request a set of files that make up a named package. The files making up the package may, if required, be requested individually. If no file extension is specified, then .PACKAGE is assumed. Individual parts in a package are usually kept in separate files with names similar to "package-name.nnn-OF-mmm" where "nnn" is the part number and "mmm" is the total number of parts. All parts are required for the package to be useful. To fetch a complete package, use: SEND package-name.PACKAGE To fetch a particular file from the package (it may go astray due to network errors), use: SEND package-name.nnn-of-mmm where "nnn" is the part you are missing, and "mmm" is the number of parts in the package. MAILING LIST SERVICE ==================== General ------- The server provides access to a number of specialized distribution lists to which users may subscribe and send/receive messages. Any message sent to the list is automatically redistributed to all users who have subscribed. Maintenance of subscriptions is acheived by sending special adminsitrative commands to the server via electronic mail. Administrative Commands ----------------------- To determine what lists are available for public subscription, use the command LISTS; to subscribe to a particular list, use the SUBSCRIBE command; to get off a list, use the UNSUBSCRIBE command. Other list commands are available, see the command summary elsewhere in this text. All administrative commands are sent to the electronic mail address of the server (see details at the end). Distributing Messages --------------------- To distribute a message to everyone subscribed to the list, simply send the message to the electronic mail address given for the list; note that this is NOT the same address as that of the server. IMPORTANT: Please be sure to direct your mail messages to the correct mail address. Server commands to GET files or SUBSCRIBE to a list are sent to the server account. Messages to be relayed to other users who are subscribed to a list should be mailed to the list using the list name. SERVER ADDRESS ============== All administrative commands destined for the server should be sent to: JANET: VMSSERV @ UK.AC.KCL.CC.BAY Internet: VMSSERV @ BAY.CC.KCL.AC.UK All messages intended for distribution to a list should be sent to: JANET: listname @ UK.AC.KCL.CC.BAY Internet: listname @ BAY.CC.KCL.AC.UK "listname" is the name of the list to which you are sending. PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTIONS ======================== Problems or suggestions related to the server software should be sent to the following address: JANET: UDAA055 @ UK.AC.KCL.CC.BAY Internet: UDAA055 @ BAY.CC.KCL.AC.UK