Sympa Email Lists FAQ

Overview

DotCIO's email list service is powered by SYMPA. The interface can be found at http://lists.rpi.edu.. SYMPA is a very full-featured list service; below are FAQs and instructions to assist in list creation, management and subscription.

Procedures

How do I login?

1. Go to http://lists.rpi.edu.
2. Select your Mailing List Domain from the choices on the left (lists.rpi.edu domain, CS, ECSE) and proceed to that domain list homepage. Majority will be lists.rpi.edu
3. Click on the Login upper right -- members of the Rensselaer community, login with your RCS email address (userj@rpi.edu) and password.

How do I subscribe to a list?

1. Login to SYMPA at the appropriate domain (lists.rpi.edu, CS, ECSE).
2. You can search for a list either through categories on the Home tab, or alphabetically through the List of Lists tab or via the Search lists field.
3. Click on the list name (name@sympa.rpi.edu). In the left menu, select Subscribe.

How do I create a new list?

After logging in (instructions above):

1. Click Create list tab (upper left).
   • ***If you only see "e list" as the leftmost tab, you are in compatibility mode, and may have difficulty clicking this tab. Turn off comparability mode to view and use the Create list tab properly.***
2. Under Create a list using a template:
3. Type in a name for the list. We recommend that list names be specific and short to avoid confusion about the purpose of the list, and make them more memorable.  Lower case and no spaces.
4. Select a List type. We have provided a few basic templates to create lists. If you need a different configuration such as moderation, etc, that can be altered later to fit your needs.
5. Type in a subject for the list. This is a brief description to assist subscribers and the list managers to understand the purpose of the list.
6. Select the most appropriate topic for the list. Additional topics can be selected after list creation if needed.
7. Type in a description. This description will be sent to all subscribers and can provide more detailed information regarding the list.
8. Click Submit your creation request. The list managers will review your request and you will receive a response when the list is ready.

How do I send a message to a list?

For lists in the lists.rpi.edu domain:

• Send email addressed to listname@lists.rpi.edu.

For migrated lists:

• Send email addressed to listname-l@lists.rpi.edu.

For lists in the Computer Science or ECSE domains:

• Send email addressed to listname@cs.lists.rpi.edu or listname@ecse.lists.rpi.edu, as appropriate.

How do I set my preferences?

• Entering your name can give useful context to list owners, especially if you are using a non-RCS account.
• RCS account users, DO NOT CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD ON THIS PAGE. If you need to change your RCS password, please do so via Rensselaer's Password Changer.

Where is my old list?

• Please check via the search field or the List of lists tab (alphabetical listing) first.
• Some lists that had not been used in over 2 years were retired, and not moved. Submit a request if that is the case.

How do I update the subscribers to a list I own?

1. Login to SYMPA at the appropriate domain (lists.rpi.edu, CS, ECSE).
2. You can search for a list either through categories on the Home tab, or alphabetically through the List of Lists tab or via the Search lists field.
3. Click on the list name (name@sympa.rpi.edu).
4. Select Review members from the left menu.
5. If there are currently no subscribers, an error will appear; click "OK" and continue with the page that appears.

To add subscribers:

• To add single addresses, type in their email address and click Add. An email will be sent to the subscriber to notify them. If you select quiet before clicking Add, they will not receive an email notification.
• To add several addresses, select Multiple add and proceed, following the example of one address per line

To remove subscribers:

To remove individual addresses:

1. Check the box to the left of the email address in the table.
2. Then click the Delete selected email addresses button. An email will be sent to the subscriber to notify them of the change. If you select quiet before clicking Delete selected email addresses, they will not receive an email notification.

To remove most or all addresses:

1. Select Toggle Selection, which will automatically check/uncheck all boxes to the left of the email addresses in the table.
2. Then click the Delete selected email addresses button. An email will be sent to the subscriber to notify them of the change. If you select quiet before clicking Delete selected email addresses, they will not receive an email notification.

How do I change/add/remove owners of a list I own?

1. Login to SYMPA at the appropriate domain (lists.rpi.edu, CS, ECSE).
2. You can search for a list either through categories on the Home tab, or alphabetically through the List of Lists tab or via the Search lists field.
3. Click on the list name (name@sympa.rpi.edu).
4. Select Admin from the left menu.
5. Select the Edit List Config list tab, and the List Definition button below it. The third entry field on this page is "Owner(owner)".

To add owners:

1. Enter the new owner email address and their name in the appropriate fields. Use the pull-down menu to select visibility:conceal.
2. Click the Update button at the bottom of the page to commit changes.

NOTE: If there are no data entry fields visible, you are not a privileged owner and cannot update the list owners.

To remove owners:

1. Delete the email address and name from the fields.
2. Click the Update button at the bottom of the page to commit changes.

How do I change who can send to a list I own?

Sympa roles details all the different send-by options in SYMPA and how to implement them.

How do I find more help?

Please submit a request providing detail on assistance needed. There are also Help buttons and tabs throughout the SYMPA interface.

Last Reviewed: 03-Feb-2023