====== Mailing Lists ======
===== What is a mailing list? =====
A mailing list may contain any number of members' e-mail addresses. An email sent to the list is automatically forwarded to all its members. In the mailing list’s settings is defined who can send e-mails to recipients on the list. Thus, it can be configured to allow only subscribers to send e-mails to their list. It is possible as well to allow anyone to send an e-mail to a list, which, of course, will be distributed only to list members.

===== Which software is used for creating and maintaining the mailing lists? =====
Software for maintaining mailing lists is called ListServer. This name derives from the legendary BITNET-ListServer which administrated mailing lists in the so-called BITNET, the forerunner of today’s internet. Nowadays, there is a wide range of software products available for ListServers, e.g. [[http://www.greatcircle.com/majordomo/ | Majordomo]] or [[http://www.list.org/ | Mailman]].

The GWDG has been using Mailman since June 2007.

===== How can I sign up? =====
More information on Mailman, as well as an overview over all mailing lists on our Mailman server that are open to the public can be found at [[http://listserv.gwdg.de/mailman/listinfo]]. For each mailing list, a website is linked where you can register. Depending on the lists' settings, you are now either automatically signed up as a new list member, or will be signed up by an administrator.

After having signed up successfully, you can send emails to the mailing list's address, which is either listenname@gwdg.de or listenname@institutsdomain.

===== What are the special functions of mailing lists administrators? =====
Mailing list administrators have the right to add any email address to a list or to delete it respectively. They can set the parameters for their lists and create information and/or welcoming messages. If the administrator decides, an archive can be set up. All settings can be implemented at http://listserv.gwdg.de/mailman/admin.

===== How is a new mailing list created? =====
GWDG users can create or delete a mailing list in the self-service section via the [[http://www.gwdg.de | GWDG’s customer helpdesk]]. Click on Collaboration, then Mailinglists to do so. If you wish the GWDG support team to create a new mailing list for you, please send an email to <support@gwdg.de>, which should include the following information:

  * Desired email address for the list (e.g. example@gwdg.de or example@institutsdomain)
  * Email address for the list’s future administrator

Please be aware that only GWDG registered fully qualified domain names (e.g. FQDN; z. B. @gwdg.de oder @uni-goettingen.de) can be used.

===== Where can documentation on administration of mailing lists be found? =====
As Mailman is one of the most widely-spread ListServer softwares, the internet is full of forums and guidebooks which offer advice.

Here is the official documentation:

[[https://docs.mailman3.org/en/latest/|docs.mailman - latest]]