Ubuntu Wiki

What Is A Mailing List?

A mailing list is a special usage of email that allows for widespread distribution of information to many Internet users. It is basically just a list of names and addresses, but mailing lists usually comprise of four things: a list of email addresses, the people ("subscribers") receiving mail at those addresses, the publications (e-mail messages) sent to those addresses, and a reflector, which is a single e-mail address that, when designated as the recipient of a message, will send a copy of that message to all of the subscribers.

What Is The "Ubuntu Beginners Team Mailing List?"

The Ubuntu Beginners Team (or BT) Mailing List is just a means of communication for BT members. It should mainly be used to share important ideas or new information, and kept free of riff-raff discussion (Not that there will be riff-raff Nazis yelling at your for posting a funny Youtube video, just, if it gets too annoying or off topic, there will be a problem). It is HIGHLY recommended that if you think you want to join the BT, you subscribe to the mailing list. You don't have to post right away, you can sit and observe at first, but please, don't be afraid to chime in.

How Do I Subscribe?

To Subscribe to the BT Mailing List, all you have to do is sign up at the BT Mailing List Webpage by entering your e-mail, name, and a password. You will then be sent an email requesting confirmation, to prevent others from gratuitously subscribing you.

How Do I Unsubscribe?

To Unsubscribe from the BT Mailing list, you must visit the BT Mailing List Webpage again, and scroll down to the very last textbox. Then enter your e-mail there, and the Mailing List will prompt you by e-mail to unsubscribe.

How Do I Send To The List?

You send an email to the BT Mailing List by sending it to the mailing list address (which is ubuntu-beginners@lists.ubuntu.com). Following which the list server will copy your email and send it to each subscriber on the list.

I Recieved An Email From An Unfamiliar Address?

Sometimes, Mailing List Subscribers will send you a personal Email from their personal Email address. This is NOT considered part of the mailing list, and you can choose to correspond with them privately by sending to their personal e-mail address. Please be sure that if you are corresponding with a user that you do not CC (Carbon Copy) your Email to the mailing list, as we'll get bothered if we have to read your conversation.

How Do I Reply To A Post On The List?

Before you reply to a mailing list posting, consider whether or not the reply should be sent to the entire list or just directly to the author. If only the author will be interested in the reply, just send them a private message to their personal Email Address. On the other hand, if your reply contains information of interest to everyone on the list, then you should send it back to the list server for distribution to everyone.

Who's Who?

Usually Email from the BT Mailing List comes from a standard mailing list email address, so there is no way to tell who sent a message from your email inbox without opening it. As an aid to others to help them know who sent each posting on these kinds of lists, it is considered good form to append your message with a small "Signature" at the bottom, with your name and personal e-mail address.

Not Everyone Is Getting A Message?

Sometimes, a user will reply to both your personal e-mail address and send the same message the Mailing List, this is considered unnecessary, annoying, and a hassle, so please don't do it. If someone does this to you, you can publicly reply by just sending the message ONLY to the BT Mailing List Address. Otherwise, you can privately reply to their personal e-mail address (and while doing so, inform them of their mistake, and how this is considered inappropriate).