In LISTSERV, how do I get the digest or index version of a list I'm subscribed to?

With a digest subscription, a user receives larger messages (called "digests") at regular intervals, usually once per day or once per week. These digests are collections of individual list postings. Some lists are so active that they produce several digests per day.

With an index subscription, a user receives short "index" messages at regular intervals, usually once per day or once per week. These indexes show what is being discussed on the list without including the text of the individual postings. For each posting, the date, the author's name and address, the subject of the message, and the number of lines is listed. The subscriber can then download messages of interest from the server (the index contains instructions on how to do that).

If you are not sure what software your mailing list uses, or whether a digest or index version is available, write directly to the person who maintains the list. If you are sure that you are subscribed to a LISTSERV list, and that a digest or index version of your list is available, then you can retrieve the digest or index.

For Indiana University LISTSERV lists, you can send a command to the LISTSERV server or use the LISTSERV web interface.

Using LISTSERV commands

Note: For Indiana University LISTSERV mailing lists, send all commands to the appropriate address for your campus:

Never send commands to the address of the mailing list (e.g., to  listname@indiana.edu ). Send only messages intended for members of the list to the list's address.

To request the digest or index version of a list via email, send the following command in the body (not the subject) of an email addressed to your LISTSERV server:

Replace listname with the name of the list you are subscribed to, and type with either digest or index. For example, if you were trying to get the digest version of a list called carrots-l, your message would read:

The LISTSERV server will send you a short acknowledgment to let you know it has received your message and changed your subscription.

Using the LISTSERV web interface

To request the digest version of a list:

1. Log into the IU LISTSERV web interface; see At IU, how do I access the web interface for LISTSERV list management?
   
   
2. Click Subscriber's Corner.
   
   
3. Under "List Names", find the list you wish to change to digest and click Settings. On the next screen, you can set your options for a list as follows:
   
   
   • Regular is the default setting, where you receive individual postings as they are processed by LISTSERV.
   • Digest (Traditional) is a text-only format.
   • Digest (MIME format) will "burst" the individual messages out of the digest so that you can read them separately.
   • Digest (HTML format) requires an HTML-enabled email client.
   • Index (Traditional) is a plain text format.
   • Index (HTML format) requires an HTML-enabled mail client and includes hyperlinks.
   
   
4. Once you have selected your option, click Update Options. You will be taken back to the same page, but at the top it will say "Your subscription options have been successfully updated."
   
   
5. Click Subscriber's Corner at the top of the screen to go back and change another list's options.

Comments/Questions/Corrections