A mailing list is a collection of email addresses. Mailing lists located on the central system (UNIX composers) are usually accessible system wide. (Note: most email packages have some mailing/address list capability, but access/use is limited to the individual user.) Lists are used to send copies of an e-mail message to several people at one time and can serve several purposes:
On the central UNIX systems at the University of Delaware, two types of mailing lists can be requested: mailman and manually maintained. Manual lists are relatively easy to set up and maintain if one has basic knowledge of UNIX directory/file structure and a common editor (like PICO). Mailman software enables the automation of mailing lists using a web interface and has some advanced list management features. A third type of list, class mailing lists are automatically generated every semester and contain a list of all students registered for a particular course/section. Majors mailing lists also fit into this third type of list category and can be used to send email to students based on their major and classification.
What is a Mail Alias?
A manually maintained mailing list with one or two recipients is sometimes thought of as a mail alias. This is commonly used when there is a need to create a special id for an organization or department.What is a Mail Alias with Alternate "incoming" INBOX?
A mail alias with alternate "incoming" INBOX is a set-up that allows for only one copy of a message to be sent when addressed to a mail alias and stored in a separate email INBOX called "incoming". All members needing access to this mail are assigned to a UNIX project and they set up symbolic links to the "incoming" file which resides on the UNIX Project Director's account.