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" <udaa055@elm.cc.kcl.ac.uk>
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