How E-mail Discussion Lists Work

If you're reading this file you're probably new both to the Deaf Empowerment and Advancement INTernational List (deafintl) and to mailing lists in general. This file is written for people who aren't sure what an e-mail discussion list is or how it "works."

What, exactly, is an e-mail discussion list?

First, the non-technical explanation: the most important thing that e-mail discussion lists do is to bring people together who share a common interest or concern. For deafintl, that common interest is in deaf and hard of hearing people in developing nations. An e-mail discussion list lets these people use email to share information and discuss ideas related to their area of interest. Even people who have never met before in person, or who might not even live in the same country, can join the same e-mail discussion list.

Basically a "mailing list" or an "e-mail discussion list" is a discussion group that is based in e-mail. Instead of meeting with a group of people in the same room to discuss something, you can "meet" other people in your "discussion group" through e-mail. Instead of talking with the other people in your group face-to-face with the signed or spoken language of your choice, you "talk" with them through e-mail messages.

Other terms you may have seen used to describe deafintl or similar lists are "mailing list," "e-mail list," and perhaps "e-mail discussion group" or "e-mail-based discussion group." Sometimes you even see just the word "list." These terms all refer to the same thing.

But how does it work?

Deafintl is an automated e-mail discussion list. The word "automated" means that a lot of the work involved with running the list is done by computer. Most of the time people who want to get on the list are expected to subscribe themselves to the list, and those who are ready to leave unsubscribe themselves.

Also, people on the list are able to send e-mail to one central e-mail address that automatically forwards their e-mail to the list for them. Deafintl has three listowners who are able to answer questions about deafintl or who can help if you have any problems with the list.

If you subscribe yourself to deafintl, that means you will start receiving posts from other subscribers on deafintl. You will also be able to make posts to deafintl. A "post" is basically an e-mail message. What makes a "post" different from just another e-mail message is that a post is sent to everyone who is subscribed to a given mailing list--in this case, deafintl.

When you want to make a post to deafintl, you simply send an e-mail to deafintl@waste.org just like you would send an e-mail message to any other e-mail address. The computer at deafintl@waste.org will automatically forward your e-mail message to all the people who are subscribed to deafintl so they can read it.

If you are subscribed to deafintl, you will receive all posts other people make to deafintl. You will receive posts from deafintl in the same way that you receive any other e-mail message. The main difference is that the word "deafintl" will appear in the subject line of e-mail messages from deafintl.

What are all these e-mail addresses?

Like most automated lists, deafintl has several e-mail addresses you need to be aware of. Each e-mail address does something different, so make sure you DO NOT mix them up!

All COMMANDS (including subscribe and unsubscribe) are handled at:

waste@waste.org

This is the e-mail address you want to use when you want to subscribe or unsubscribe to deafintl. For more detail, see either the subscribe or the unsubscribe page.
To CONTACT A LISTOWNER use:

owner-deafintl@waste.org

This is the e-mail address you want to use when you want to talk with a listowner. It should be fairly easy to remember because it uses the word "owner-" followed by the name of the list (deafintl). Use this e-mail address if you want to talk to a human being ABOUT deafintl (e.g., for help subscribing or posting, or to clarify list policies, etc.).
To POST to deafintl use:

deafintl@waste.org

This is the e-mail address you want to use when you want to send an e-mail message to be read by the whole list. In other words, when you send an e-mail message to deafintl@waste.org, it will be received by all deafintl subscribers. Don't use this e-mail address to unsubscribe yourself from the list! Don't use this e-mail address if you only want to talk to a listowner! If you do, everyone might see your message! This e-mail address should be fairly easy to remember because it simply uses the name of the list (deafintl) at the site @waste.org.

Okay, so what else do I need to know about deafintl?

If you are ready to start receiving deafintl posts and partipating in deafintl discussion, see the page on how to subscribe yourself.

If you still want to know more about us before deciding if you want to join, you probably want to read about who we are and you probably also want to see our policy page, which includes more information on what kinds of topics can be discussed on deafintl. Also helpful might be the deafintl archives.

If you have just subscribed to deafintl (or you are about to), please make sure to read the policy and netiquette pages before making your first post to deafintl. You might also want to catch up with some of deafintl's old posts by browsing through the deafintl archives.

See the main deafintl page for more information related to deafintl, including volunteer opportunities.

Return to main deafintl page.

Return to Andrea Shettle's page.

Return to the International Deaf Education and Advancement Fund (I-DEAF) page.

This page was last updated on 31 January 2004 by Andrea Shettle who can be reached at:

Vashettle@patriot.net (Please note that the V is NOT part of my email address. Remove it before hitting "send.")

or at:

owner-deafintl@waste.org