
                                ECHOLIST
                      The EchoMail Conference List
                       FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

01 July 1995
ELIST507.FAQ

   The Echolist Coordinator at 1:1/201 receives quite a bit of netmail
   asking a variety of questions on the operation of the Echolist, or
   Elist, and it seems reasonable to try to answer these in a publicly
   available document, hence this FAQ file.


   New Elist Entry
   ===============

   I'm new at this and I'm not sure how to get my echo on the Elist.

   Answer:  Obtain the file ELMODnnn.LZH either by local file request
            from your Echomail Coordinator or Hub, or by freq from
            1:1/201 using the magic name ELMOD.  Follow the instructions
            contained in this file carefully, and your Elist entry will
            be confirmed by routed netmail from 1:1/201.


   Backbone Distribution
   =====================

   If I get my echo listed in the Elist, does that mean that it is 'on
   the Backbone'?

   Answer:  No.  The Elist is only a reference, providing information to
            anyone interested in reading it.  In fact, it is used by the
            operators of several different distribution systems.  If you
            wish your echo distributed by a group of Hubs, you should
            obtain any instructions they may have for getting added to
            their distribution system.  This may include having an Elist
            entry, but that and any other steps are up to them.


   Reply Netmail
   =============

   I've dropped off an Elist update.  How will I know whether it was
   received?

   Answer:  The Elist software will generate a routed netmail
            acknowledgement of any message addressed to it.  This
            includes MOD UPD messages, MOD RUL messages, and ECHO QUERY
            messages.  Any messages incorrectly formatted, but correctly
            addressed, will receive a written acknowledgement, and
            missing data will be noted.  If in doubt about formatting
            the message consult the current version of ELMOD.


   Correct Address
   ===============

   How does the Elist software know when to process a netmail update?

   Answer:  The Elist software runs once per day at 05:30 Pacific
            Standard Time. It searches the netmail directory at 1:1/201
            looking for any messages addressed to 'ECHOLIST' at that
            address.  All other messages are ignored by it.


   Lost Password
   =============

   I've lost my Elist password.  Can you send it to me?

   Answer:  No, Elist passwords are not divulged, and since security
            would require that the Echolist Coordinator send the reply
            message by direct mail, this entails expense.  Such a
            message can not be placed on hold since an unscrupulous
            person could preconfigure his system to represent a
            particular node when polling.  A Moderator in this position
            should explain the situation to his Region Echomail
            Coordinator who may coordinate the release of the password.


   Inactive Co-Moderator
   ====================

   My co-Moderator has the Elist password but has not updated the entry
   which is now about to expire.  I do not have the password.  Can you
   provide it to me?

   Answer:  No, Elist passwords are not divulged.  (is there an echo
            here?)  If the Moderator of an echo has chosen not to give
            the co-Moderator the Elist password, it is assumed there is
            a reason for this, and the Echolist Coordinator will not
            compromise the security of the password.  This is an issue
            which should be resolved with the other Moderator.


   Missing Moderator
   =================

   An echo I am interested in appears to have no moderator, but is still
   operating.  What can I do to revive it?

   Answer:  This is an issue for the participants of the echo to decide
            on.  Sometimes they accept a willing volunteer, and other
            times they hold an election.  Once the decision is made, the
            new moderator should update the Elist entry.  If the new
            moderator does not have the Elist password, evidence should
            be submitted showing the the previous moderator is no longer
            listed in a commonly-available nodelist.  If the Elist entry
            has expired, a new entry may be submitted, and the new
            moderator takes full responsibility for resolving with echo
            participants any disputes over moderatorship.


   Echo Highjacking
   ================

   My echo was dropped from the Elist because I had not updated the
   listing and now someone else has Elisted it and claims to be the
   Moderator.  Can you give me back my echo?

   Answer:  The Elist does not confer Moderatorship on anyone.  It only
            records information submitted by a Moderator, and to protect
            that information from alteration by others a password
            feature is available and its use encouraged.  If a Moderator
            chooses not to use the password feature or allows the
            listing to expire, others may get access to the listing. The
            Echolist Coordinator does not get involved in disputes over
            Moderatorship of an echo, leaving this to the participants
            of the echo to address.


   Elist Numbering System
   ======================

   What does the Elist 'nnn' numbering system mean?

   Answer:  The Elist files are numbered by taking the last digit of the
            year (example:  5 for 1995) followed by the month number
            (example:  07 for July).  Thus the files issued in July 1995
            are numbered 507 - ELIST507.LZH contains ELIST507.TXT,
            ELMOD507.TXT and ELIST507.FAQ.


   Elist Software
   ==============

   What software is used to process the Elist and may I have a copy?

   Answer:  The version 3 software is written in Borland Turbo Pascal v7
            and is custom written for the Elist tasks.  It runs on a DOS
            platform and on a single pass reads the inbound messages,
            prepares a response, writes data to the database, and
            performs lookup and password checking features.  It is not
            available for distribution.


   Questions should be addressed to the Echolist Coordinator (Adrian
   Walker) at 1:1/201 by netmail, or by echomail in the Z1_BACKBONE echo
   available from most Hubs which carry Zone 1 Backbone echoes.

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