Frequently Asked Questions

Q How does an e-mail discussion List work?

A. When you subscribe to an email discussion List, your name and email address are stored in an online database controlled by a computer programme called LISTSERV.
There are many servers around the world which use the LISTSERV programme to run discussion Lists.
The ICWP-L List is hosted on the Netspace.org server.

There are thousands of email discussion Lists and each List has its own address.
The ICWP-L List address is ICWP-L@LISTS.NETSPACE.ORG

The LISTSERV computer receives the emails sent by subscribers and forwards a copy of each message to everyone whose name and address is stored on the database for each particular List, a bit like a post office.
The LISTSERV which handles ICWP-L emails has its own address LISTSERV@LISTS.NETSPACE.ORG
When someone subscribes to any given List, an 'account' is set up for them which allows them to control how and when they receive List messages.

Another way of understanding the difference between the ICWP-L List address and the LISTSERV address is to think of the ICWP-L List address as a room full of playwrights eagerly awaiting your messages about playwriting.

The LISTSERV however, is a computer which will only do what it's told to do (when you send COMMANDS to it) and it isn't the slightest bit interested in messages about playwriting or any other topic that interests real people.

A mail worker just sorts and delivers the mail: he or she doesn't read it in transit and is only interested in any delivery instructions, like First Class, Second Class, Express, Return to Sender, Forwarding Address, Air Mail etc.

These delivery instructions are like Listserv Commands. LISTSERV is like a mail worker and just wants to know "What do you want done with your mail?" And that's where your Account Settings come in....

Account settings
Each subscriber has their own account, where their Settings are stored.
These settings affect the way a subscriber receives List mail.
Each subscriber can change their account settings anytime they like, as can the List Owner or List Administrator.

Changing Account Settings
There are 2 methods of changing your account settings.

Method 1. Using a password and web control panel, which you access through your internet web browser programme (Internet Explorer. Netscape, Opera etc.)
Very simple to use, but more time-consuming than Method 2.

Method 2. Using email Commands sent to the LISTSERV computer. Very fast, but you need to type the commands in an exact format and send the commands to the correct email address - commands need to be sent to the LISTSERV address, not to the ICWP-L List address.

Q. What is the List Etiquette?

A. The List Etiquette is a set of protocols List subscribers are asked to observe
when posting messages to the List - basically they are the 'good manners' expected
of all List subscribers.

The List Etiquette exists to ensure that all the List subscribers respect each others' needs.
Some subscribers receive their List messages in a daily Digest which includes all of the
previous day's messages together in one long message.
So keeping unnecessary HTML code and repeated message content to a minimum helps
Digest users who can't use the "delete" button, but have to scroll through an entire day's
postings to find what they're looking for.

Subject headings of messages are very important when searching the Archives and for Index users who receive a daily email without messages but with subject headings as hyperlinks.

We can all make mistakes, but if Subscribers consistently fail to honour the List Etiquette, they will be contacted personally by a List administrator.
Below is a short version of the List Etiquette.
All points are equally important.
They are not listed in any order of priority.
A more detailed version can be found by clicking here

ICWP-L List Etiquette - Short version

• Send Plain Text messages, not HTML, if possible.
  If you're not sure how to set your email programme to send Plain Text messages,
  (Outlook,Netscape,Eudora etc.) contact the List administrator.
  
  
• Delete MOST of the original quoted text in messages when you REPLY.
  
  
• DIGEST USERS please ensure replies do not include the entire text of the Digest.
  
  
• Put OT: or OFF TOPIC: at the beginning of the subject line, if your message
  is very clearly NOT about a Playwriting, Writing or a Theatre-related subject.
  
  
• Put OPP: (for opportunity) at the beginning of the subject line, followed by
  "contest" or "production" or "funding" when forwarding info on these.
  
  
• Congratulations messages should have CONGRATS: added to
  the front of the original subject line.
  
  
• Delete Headers from messages when replying to the List
  i.e. make sure there is no "To: From: Reply To:" in the body of your message.
  
  
• Change the subject line
  Make sure the subject line corresponds with the content of messages.
  
  
• Send no attachments
  The Listserv will reject them and your message.
  
  
• Send no virus warnings, chain or petition letters - send them to List Admin
  for verification.
  
  
• Backchannel (to individual's personal email address) messages which your
  judgement tells you will be of interest to only one person.
  
  
• Don't cross post from other Lists or news services without permission.
  
  
• Don't post a message from another individual without permission.

Q What other email commands can I send to the LISTSERV ?

A.
*To receive all of each day's messages in one long message per day, rather
than individual messages as they are processed by the Listserv (Digest)
(This is the "Traditional" form of the Digest which sends each List message in plain text and html code.
It can be very long and use lots of disk space)

SET ICWP-L DIGEST

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*To receive all of each day's messages in one long HTML message per day, rather
than individual messages as they are processed by the Listserv (HTML Digest).
(This format contains each List message only once and is much smaller than the "Traditional" Digest: average 75k

SET ICWP-L HTML DIGEST

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*To receive individual messages as they are processed by the Listserv
(NoDigest)

SET ICWP-L NODIGEST

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*To receive one posting per day containing only an index of subject topics
for all messages during the previous day. Instructions on how to retrieve
the individual postings are included in the message (Index).

SET ICWP-L INDEX

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*To change from Index and return to "Traditional" Digest (see above)

SET ICWP-L NOINDEX

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*Remember the Commands are sent to LISTSERV@LISTS.NETSPACE.ORG
NOT the ICWP-L List address.(ICWP-L@LISTS.NETSPACE.ORG)

A complete list of all Listserv commands and their functions can be found
in the List Users manual which can be downloaded or read online at:
http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8d/user/user.html#2.11