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Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 06:05:00 -0400 From: LISTSERV@listserv.iupui.edu To: Alpha Chi Chapter <apo-l-incoming@mit.edu> Sat, 1 May 2010 06:05:00 This message is a "probe" for your subscription to the APO-L list. You do not need to take any action to remain subscribed to the list, and in particular you should not reply to this message. Simply discard it now, or read on if you would like to know more about how this probing mechanism works. A recap of key information about APO-L is also found at the bottom of this message, complete with instructions for subscribing and unsubscribing. First, here's the techincal "probe" stuff: A "probe" is a message like the one you are reading, sent to an individual subscriber and tagged with a special signature to uniquely identify this particular subscriber (you can probably not see the signature because it is in the mail headers). If the subscriber's e-mail address is no longer valid, the message will be returned to LISTSERV and the faulty address will be removed from the list. If the subscriber's address is still valid, the message will not bounce and the user will not be deleted. The main advantage of this technique is that it can be fully automated; the list owner does not need to read a single delivery error. For a large or active list, the manpower savings can be tremendous. In fact, some lists are so large that it is virtually impossible to process delivery errors manually. Another advantage is that the special, unique signatures make it possible to accurately process delivery errors that are otherwise unintelligible, even to an experienced technical person. The drawback, however, is that this method lacks flexibility and forgiveness. Since the Internet does not provide a reliable mechanism for probing an e-mail address without actually delivering a message to the human recipient, the subscribers need to be inconvenienced with yet another "junk message." And, unlike a human list owner, LISTSERV follows a number of simple rules in determining when and whether to terminate a subscription. In particular, a common problem with automatic probes is mail gateways that return a delivery error, but do deliver the message anyway. LISTSERV has no way to know that the message was in fact delivered, and in most cases the subscriber is not aware of the existence of these "false" error reports. If this happens to you, LISTSERV will send you another message with a copy of the delivery error returned by your mail system, so that you can show it to your technical people. ---- Now, as promised, here's the recap of key points about APO-L and common commands, such as how to unsubscribe if you wish to leave the list during aacademic breaks or when graduating. (Not that I'm pushing! And if you do leave temporarily, be sure to come back!) And with that said, you've been probed. Didn't hurt a bit, did it? Fraternally, Charlie Zimmerman APO-L Moderator charliez@aol.com ================= APO-L: For Alpha Phi Omega, a service oriented fraternity which has chapters on many campuses in the United States. The list will provide an opportunity for members to compare notes on their chapters, discuss organizational issues and communicate with members at distant chapters. APO-L is an unofficial list and the postings reflect the opinions of individuals and not the official policy of Alpha Phi Omega. The list does not take the place of normal lines of communication within the the fraternity, though it may be used to supplement official channels. To send a message to the list, send mail to APO-L@IUPUI.EDU - Messages should be sent in plain text format only - no HTML - Attachments are not allowed. Please note that messages from non-subscribers and new members are routed to the list moderator for approval. All new members will be automatically granted full posting privileges shortly after joining; no further action is required for this to take place. ::COMMANDS -send all commands to LISTSERV@IUPUI.EDU -do not send commands to APO-L -send commands interactively or by placing them in the body of a mail message with no subject line or other text -commands can be grouped in a single message by placing each command on a separate line Here are some useful commands: SUBscribe APO-L <full name> REVIEW APO-L {receive a list of APO-L subscribers} INDEX APO-L {receive a list of files available to APO-L users} GET APO-L * {have the LISTSERV send the file APO-L whatever(*)} UNSUB APO-L {sign off of APO-L} HELP {receive a list of LISTSERV commands} ::DIGEST MODE If the number of messages from APO-L is overwhelming, you can choose to receive each day's postings as a single message or 'digest'. To get the list in digest form, send the command: SET APO-L DIGEST to LISTSERV@IUPUI.EDU after you have subscribed to the list. To return to receiving the messages individually, use the command: SET APO-L MAIL ::CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS If you want to change the e-mail address where APO-L is sent, you can (1) unsubscribe and resubscribe with the new address, (2) use the web-based tool mentioned below, or (3) send me a note at the address above and I'll take care of it for you. ::WEB-BASED SUBSCRIBER CONTROLS AND ARCHIVES Alternatively, you can access online subscriber controls (as well as list archives) at: http://LISTSERV.iupui.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe
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