In the summer of 2007, the Enterprise Messaging team has brought online a new mailing list server for the Hopkins community. As of June 30, 2008, this server has replaced the aging Listproc server. The new server is powered by Sympa, an open source mailing list engine that provides several functions and enhancements long sought after for Hopkins mailing list solution. These include: - Enterprise Authentication (JHED Login ID and password)
- Web interface for list/subscriber administration
- Web enabled archives
- Ability to populate subscribers files automatically from a data souce (aka dynamically populated lists)
- Ease of unsubscribe options
- And many more!
Mailing lists are a free service provided to the Johns Hopkins community by IT@JH and Enterprise Messaging. They provide an easy electronic means for the dispersal of information and/or a forum for discussion on a topic or area. Mail sent to a mailing list is automatically sent to the electronic mail address of all subscribers on the list. Any Johns Hopkins affiliate (faculty, staff, student) may apply to establish a mailing list. There is no charge if the mailing list supports educational and research activities of the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, SPSBE, Peabody, or affiliated research centers, is supported or sponsored by a faculty member from the above institutions , or is directly linked to a Student Council sanctioned student organization. There must be atleast two owners on each mailing list and one owner of the list must have an active JHED account (JHED Login ID). Enterprise Messaging supports mailing lists through the Sympa software on the lists.johnshopkins.edu server. Mailing lists have a host of features which are not available with typical address book mailing lists. These features must be specified when applying to set up the list and include the following: - Closed or open subscription: In a closed subscription list, the list owner(s) adds/deletes subscribers to/from the list. In an open subscription list, anyone may add/delete their name to/from the mailing list via electronic mail.
- Moderated or unmoderated: In a moderated list, all submissions to the list are sent to a designated person (moderator) who screens them and sends appropriate submissions out to the mailing list.
- Archived or not archived: An archived mailing list allows previous postings to the list to be retrieved electronically.
- Visible or hidden: A hidden mailing list will not be displayed by the lists command.
- Replies can go to the sender or to the list: Mailing lists whose function is information dispersal usually have replies directed to the sender; those whose function is to provide a forum for discussion usually have replies directed to the list.
- Digest messages: Messages can be sent in digest format if the list tends to be busy and subscribers prefer to receive one email with a listing of the messages that were sent to the list rather than a copy of all messages that were sent.
- Dynamic subscriber lists: Some lists may benefit from having their subscriber files automatically populated and updated by connecting to an outside database. If your list meets the criteria for a dynamic list, subscriptions will be controlled by the information within the database and the query used to find the subscribers. To learn more about dynamic lists, please contact the Listmaster.
All interested those who want to apply for a list and become the owner of said list, must first read and agree to the List Owners Policy. If you do not agree to the List Owners Policy, a sample of which can be viewed here, then the list will not be created. Once you have agreed to the policy you will be asked to fill out a form that asks how you want the list to be configured. Most of the configurations are changeable by a list owner, so do not think these settings are permanent. If there is a setting that needs to be changed for your list after the creation and the owner does not have the capability to change it, you will need to contact the Listmaster. To apply for a mailing list, go to the Hopkins Portal and login using your JHED LID and password. Click on MyJHED and under "Service and Access Request" click on "Request a Mailing List." You will need to accept the List Owners Policy and then answer a few configuration questions for the proposed list. Within three (3) business days you will receive notification of the status of your new list. New List server lists.johnshopkins.edu Mailing list Help and FAQ For more information please email support@jhu.edu. | 
