Updated Nov. 14, 2009

If you would like to contribute to the Index-L FAQs email your contribution to indexpup@indexpup.com.

back to index-l archivesINDEX-L FAQ

  1. What is Index-L?
  2. Privacy Policy
  3. How do I subscribe to Index-L ?
  4. How do I unsubscribe from Index-L ?
  5. How do I post a message to the list?
  6. I've forgotten my password, how can I reset it?
  7. How do I change my e-mail address or password?
  8. What is digest format and how do I receive messages in digest format?
  9. I'm receiving messages in digest format. How can I cancel digest and receive messages as they are contributed?
  10. I'm going on vacation. How can I stop receiving mail from Index-L without unsubscribing?
  11. What is Index-L netiquette
  12. Where can I access the archives?
    Can I search the Binghamton archives?
  13. Is something wrong with Index-L? I'm not receiving mail.
  14. Why am I receiving the following email messages:
  15. What is wrong with sending HTML or MIME messages and how do I set my e-mail client to send plain text messages?
  16. How do I contact the listowner? or, I've contacted the list owner and haven't heard back, why?

 

  1. What is Index-L

    Index-L is a mailing list intended to promote good indexing practice. The group provides a forum for aspiring and professional indexers to share information and ideas relating to the intellectual, philosophical, and technical aspects of index preparation. Topics for discussion can include various types of index structures such as indexes for books, periodicals, online text, databases, or hypermedia. Participants include but are not limited to the following groups: members of the American Society of Indexers (ASI); librarians and library school faculty and students; information access professionals; hypertext and database developers; and authors indexing their own works.

    For the most part, Index-L is not moderated. Occasionally the list owner will stop banter that is totally inappropriate.

    Note, there are many indexing lists out there. If you don't like Index-L then unsubscribe and join a different list.
  2. Privacy Policy
  3. How do I subscribe to Index-L

    You can subscribe to the Index-L mailing list through the graphical user interface (GUI) or by e-mail.

    Subscribe with the GUI
    1. In a web browser such as Firefox, Opera or Internet Explorer, go to the URL http://lists.unc.edu/read/about/?forum=index-l
    2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the "Subscribe" button.
    3. Type your email address and set a password, then click the "Subscribe" button.
    4. You will receive an email acknowledgement in a few minutes. Check your email account for the acknowledgement email message and instructions on how to proceed.

    Subscribe using e-mail

    1. Send an e-mail message to listserv@unc.edu
    2. Do not include a subject line.
    3. Do not include signatures or extraneous text.
    4. For the body of the message, type
      SUBSCRIBE INDEX-L
    5. You will receive a confirmation via email with the subject line "Your confirmation is needed." You must respond to this email message.
      Note: When subscribing via email you will receive a password in the "Your confirmation is needed" message. You will need this password to log into Index-L.
  4. How do I unsubscribe from Index-L
    You can unsubscribe to the Index-L mailing list through the graphical user interface (GUI) or by e-mail.

    Unsubscribe with the GUI
    1. In a web browser such as Firefox, Opera, or Internet Explorer, go to the URL http://lists.unc.edu/read/login/?forum=index-l&go=http://lists.unc.edu/read/my_account/?forum%3Dindex-l
    2. Enter the list by typing your e-mail address and password.
    3. Click the unsubscribe button for the index-l forum.

    Unsubscribe with e-mail
    1. To unsubscribe via e-mail, you must send an e-mail message from the account you originally subscribed from.
    2. Send an e-mail message to listserv@unc.edu
    3. Do not include a subject line.
    4. Do not include signatures or extraneous text.
    5. For the body of the message, type
      UNSUBSCRIBE INDEX-L
  5. How do I post a message to the list?

    Before posting messages to Index-L, please read about Index-L netiquette. It's always a good idea to search the archives before posting a message to see if your question has been previously discussed.

    You can post messages to the list through the graphical user interface (GUI) or by e-mail.

    Post a message using the GUI
    1. In a web browser such as Firefox, Opera, or Internet Explorer, go to the URL http://lists.unc.edu/read/login/?forum=index-l&go=http://lists.unc.edu/read/my_account/?forum%3Dindex-l
    2. Enter the list by typing your e-mail address and password.
    3. Click the index-l forum.
    4. Click the create new message button.
    5. Include a meaningful Subject.
    6. Type your message.
    7. Click OK.

    Post a message using e-mail
    1. Address your e-mail message to index-l@listserv.unc.edu
    2. Include a meaningful Subject.
    3. Type your message.
    4. Send your message.
  6. I've forgotten my password, how can I reset it? To reset your password:
    1. In a web browser such as Firefox, Opera, or Internet Explorer, go to the URL http://lists.unc.edu/read/login/?forum=index-l&go=http://lists.unc.edu/read/my_account/?forum%3Dindex-l
    2. Type your email address (the one you used to subscribed to Index-L) and click OK (or hit Enter).
    3. In the password box, type anything and click OK (or hit Enter).
    4. Click the email password button.
    5. The password will be emailed to you. Follow the instructions you receive in the email.
  7. How do I change my e-mail address or password?
    You can change your e-mail address using the UNC List Server GUI.
    1. In a web browser such as Firefox, Opera, or Internet Explorer, go to the URL http://lists.unc.edu/read/login/?forum=index-l&go=http://lists.unc.edu/read/my_account/?forum%3Dindex-l
    2. Enter the list by typing your e-mail address and password.
    3. Click "My Account."
    4. To change your email address, on the "Essentials" tab, type your new address and click "Save Changes."
    5. To change your password, on the "Advanced" tab, type your new password and click "Save Changes."
      Note: Disregard the message: "You are not a member of this list. Only members of this list can use the 'My Account' tab."
  8. What is digest format and how do I receive messages in digest format?
    Digest format allows you to receive a daily e-mail with all of the contributions for that day. You set your mail to digest through the graphical user interface (GUI) or by e-mail.

    Set mail to digest using the GUI
    1. In a web browser such as Firefox, Opera, or Internet Explorer, go to the URL http://lists.unc.edu/read/login/?forum=index-l&go=http://lists.unc.edu/read/my_account/?forum%3Dindex-l
    2. Enter the list by typing your e-mail address and password.
    3. Click "My Account."
    4. From the "Membership type" drop down menu select "Digest: one daily email..." and click "Save Changes."
    Set mail to digest using e-mail
    1. Send an e-mail message to listserv@unc.edu
    2. Do not include a subject line.
    3. Do not include signatures or extraneous text.
    4. For the body of the message, type
      SET INDEX-L DIGEST
  9. I'm receiving messages in digest format. How can I cancel digest and receive messages as they are contributed?
    You can set your mail so you receive messages as they are contributed through the graphical user interface (GUI) or by e-mail.

    Set mail to receive messages as they are contributed using the GUI
    1. In a web browser such as Firefox, Opera, or Internet Explorer, go to the URL http://lists.unc.edu/read/login/?forum=index-l&go=http://lists.unc.edu/read/my_account/?forum%3Dindex-l
    2. Enter the list by typing your e-mail address and password.
    3. Click "My Account."
    4. From the "Membership type" drop down menu select "Normal: receive messages as they are contributed" and click "Save Changes."
    Set mail to receive messages as they are contributed using e-mail
    1. Send an e-mail message to listserv@unc.edu
    2. Do not include a subject line
    3. Do not signatures or extraneous text
    4. For the body of the message, type
      SET INDEX-L MAIL
  10. I'm going on vacation. How can I stop receiving mail from Index-L without unsubscribing?
    You can stop receiving your mail without unsubscribing through the graphical user interface (GUI) or by e-mail.

    Temporarily stop mail using the GUI
    1. In a web browser such as Firefox, Opera, or Internet Explorer, go to the URL http://lists.unc.edu/read/login/?forum=index-l&go=http://lists.unc.edu/read/my_account/?forum%3Dindex-l
    2. Enter the list by typing your e-mail address and password.
    3. Click "My Account."
    4. From the "Membership type" drop down menu select "No email: receive no email from this mailing list" and click "Save Changes."

    Temporarily stop mail using e-mail
    1. Send an e-mail message to listserv@unc.edu
    2. Do not include a subject line.
    3. Do not include signatures or extraneous text.
    4. For the body of the message, type
      SET INDEX-L NOMAIL
  11. What is Index-L netiquette?

    For the most part, Index-L is not moderated. This means the listowner does not see the messages before subscribers do, nor does she read every message. Occasionally the list owner will stop banter that is totally inappropriate. There are +/-1000 subscribers to index-l. It is a very diverse group of freelance indexers, students, academics, in-house indexers, technical writers, editors, and others. Use the following guidelines to decide if your posting is appropriate.

    Appropriate postings include messages related to indexing theory, practice, or the business of indexing. This includes back-of-the- book, periodical, database, electronic, or an indeterminate future form of indexing. It also includes meeting announcements, job postings, training opportunities, and questions/answers about software/equipment.

    Inappropriate postings include:

    Replying to the list vs. the individual
    Index-L is configured to "Reply-all." This means when you reply to a message on Index-L it will be sent to the entire list. If you do not want to send a message to the entire list, simply reply to the person who sent the message.

    Take private discussions offline:
    This one is very simple, do not have private discussions on Index-L.

    Other posting tips:

  12. Where can I access the archives?
    There are several ways to look at the archives:
    ---To search and browse the 1992-1999 archives, see: http://www.indexpup.com/index-list/
    ---To browse the June 1999 - April 2000 archives, see: http://listserv.binghamton.edu/archives/index-l.html
    ---To search and browse the April 2000 - Present archives, see: http://lists.unc.edu/read/?forum=index-l

    Can I search the Binghamton archives?
    The Binghamton archives cannot be searched. They can be browsed.
  13. Is something wrong with Index-L? I'm not receiving mail.
    Listed below are reasons why you may not receive Index-L mail in a timely fashion:
    1. When a message is posted to a mailing list, not everyone will receive the message at the same time. Not all e-mail travels at the same speed. This is due to Internet routing and traffic. Delays in receiving e-mail can be measured in days.
    2. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider, such as AOL, Earthlink, Mindspring, etc). is having problems with their mail server. This means that incoming and outgoing messages can be delayed.
    3. The UNC mailing list server is down. Note, this is probably unlikely since the server has a rate of 98% uptime.
    4. Your ISP is blocking traffic from the UNC server. There are known problems with AOL and Hotmail. The recommended fix for this is getting a gmail account.
  14. Why am I receiving the following email messages:

    "Your subscription has been held because at least 6 recent messages have been either bounced by your email system, or could not be delivered at all"?

    Possible reasons for bouncing mail include:

    1. Your mailbox may be full -- try deleting messages from your inbox.
    2. Your ISP may have a backlog of email to process -- contact your ISP.
    3. Your ISP may be blocking email from Index-L -- contact your ISP.
  15. What is wrong with sending HTML or MIME messages and how do I set my e-mail client to send plain text messages?

    Send plain text messages. Do not send HTML or MIME messages. For instructions on setting your e-mail client to send plain text messages, see http://email.about.com/cs/netiquettetips/qt/et070103.htm. If these instruction do not work for you then refer to your e-mail client's instructions on how to send plain text. Do not waste Index-L resources by discussing the the "plain text/html" issue on this list.

  16. How do I contact the listowner? or, I've contacted the list owner and haven't heard back, why?

    To contact the list owner, email indexpup@indexpup.com. If I don't get back to you, one or more of the following has occurred:

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