Square brackets [ ] are used to indicate a generic term in a
command that needs to be replaced with specific wording, e.g.,
A. Autocat is a semi-moderated electronic discussion list. It is an international list devoted to the
topics of library cataloging and authority control.
2. Whom do I contact when I have a problem related to the list?
A. Send a message to: AUTOCAT-REQUEST@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU and one of the owners will respond.
3. How do I send a message to be distributed to all subscribers?
A. Send an email message to: AUTOCAT@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
4. Can non-subscribers send messages to Autocat?
A. Yes; but messages from non-subscribers are first detoured to
one of the listowners to be approved before being forwarded to the list.
If the listowner determines the message is
appropriate it is forwarded to the list without modification. In rare
cases when the message does not seem clear the listowner may return it to
the poster asking that it be clarified.
5. Are messages from subscribers reviewed
prior to being distributed?
A. No, with a few exceptions. One exception is that all new
subscribers are automatically set to REVIEW status (that is the list's
default). If subscribers repeatedly break list rules they are set to REVIEW status.
Messages from subscribers who are set to REVIEW status are automatically
detoured to one of the listowners to be
previewed. Aside from these exceptions messages from subscribers are distributed
directly without any human intervention.
6. To what address should I send a subscription request or a command to
change the status of my subscription?
A. Address such commands to: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Messages sent to this address do not need a subject line.
7. Do I have to use special wording or syntax to issue a command to
LISTSERV?
A. Yes to both parts of the question. Since LISTSERV is a program
it can only implement commands that are sent to it using specified wording
in a specified syntax.
The usual syntax is: command listname option
See The Command Options page for more information.
8. Instead of receiving multiple
messages from Autocat each day I prefer to receive only one, that contains
the full text of all messages distributed during that day. Is there any
way I can do that?
A. Yes; send LISTSERV the command SET AUTOCAT DIGEST
9. I am
interested in reading only a small number of Autocat messages each day and
don't want to have to go through a full Digest or all the individual mail
messages. Is there any way I can get a list of messages distributed daily
from which I can then select those that seem of interest to me?
A. Yes; send LISTSERV the command SET AUTOCAT INDEX
Each day you will be sent a list of the subject lines of that
day's messages with instructions on how to retrieve those messages of
interest to you.
10. Can I receive Autocat through a newsreader
rather than a subscription?
A. No. You could for several years; Autocat was gatewayed to the
News Group BIT.LISTSERV.AUTOCAT. But by 1998 the service had deteriorated
to such an extent that the AUTOCAT listowners decided to close down the
gateway; this was done near the end of May 1998.
Sometime weeks would go by with no messages being distributed to
the News Group. Even when messages were distributed they formed only a
portion of those distributed over the list. News Group readers were thus
given a false picture of the traffic on the list and often missed
important messages. In addition, the News Group suffered from the
presence of spam messages that did not appear on the list. For these
reasons the listowners decided to cut the connection to the NewsGroup.
11. If I wish to stop receiving Autocat for a brief
period (because I am away from the library for holiday, conference
attendance, sickness, etc.) do I need to unsubscribe from Autocat?
A. No; you can temporarily suspend delivery of your Autocat mail
by sending the SET AUTOCAT NOMAIL command to the LISTSERV address given in
no. 6 above.
12. If I set Autocat to NOMAIL how do I resume receiving it?
A. Send LISTSERV the command SET AUTOCAT MAIL
This command works whether or not you are set to receive
individual mail messages (MAIL), a DIGEST, or an INDEX. It will cause the
resumption of delivery in the format you had previously set.
13. What are some of the Autocat default options?
A. REPRO This means that if you send a message to Autocat you will
receive a copy of that message as part of your subscription. If you
prefer not to receive copies of your own messages you can change this
option by sending LISTSERV the command SET AUTOCAT NOREPRO; however we strongly urge that you retain the default option since that enables you to be sure your message was distributed.
REVIEW This means that your messages are first sent to a listowner
to be reviewed for appropriateness. After you post your first few
appropriate messages after you subscribe, the listowner will change the
option to NOREVIEW and all future messages that you post will be
distributed directly without human review. Only a listowner can change
this option.
14. How do I find out what my subscription options are?
A. Send LISTSERV the message QUERY AUTOCAT
15. Can I get a list of the Autocat subscribers?
A. No. Because of concerns about the privacy of subscribers (and
to prevent the subscription list from falling into the hands of spammers)
only a listowner can get a copy of the subscription list. If you need a
copy or the address of someone you believe to be a subscriber, ask one of
the listowners.
However you can get a copy of the Autocat header which shows how
the list is configured, gives the names and addresses of the listowners,
and gives the number of subscribers per country. To obtain the header
send LISTSERV the command REVIEW AUTOCAT BYCOUNTRY
16. Is there a way I can find out if there was previous discussion of a
topic of interest to me in Autocat?
A. Yes. All Autocat messages as of January 1991 are archived and
can be retrieved by doing a keyword search. See
http://www.cwu.edu/~dcc/Autocat/Archives-search.html for specifics.
17. What do I receive in response to an archives search?
A. LISTSERV will send you an index containing the subject lines
and examples of the use of your search terms in the messages retrieved,
plus instructions on how to obtain the full text of the messages that seem
relevant to you.
18. Does Autocat maintain files?
A. Yes. There are two (2) types of files maintained by Autocat:
1) Logs, usually roughly weekly in length, of all messages posted to
Autocat from 1991 to the current day. These form the archives database
and may be searched as described above.
2) Reports and other documents that were too long to post as mail
messages. These latter may be stored temporarily, e.g., reports of ALA
meetings are usually posted for six months until replaced by reports from
a later meeting. These cannot be searched using the database search
mechanism.
Each file has a name that consists of two parts, a filename proper
and a so-called filetype. To obtain a list of the currently available
files send LISTSERV the message INDEX AUTOCAT. To obtain a specific file,
whether a whole weekly log or a document or other report, send LISTSERV
the command GET
19. If I want to issue several commands to LISTSERV can I include them all
in one message or do I need to send a separate message for each?
A. You can include them all in the same message; however each
command must be on a separate line, e.g.,
You can get a brief list of all available commands by sending
LISTSERV the single word command HELP while a fuller explanation of the
commands can be obtained by sending the command INFO REFCARD to LISTSERV.
20. What kind of problems can occur with my
subscription and what are their solutions?
A. All sorts. If you have difficulties with your subscription, email us at AUTOCAT-REQUEST@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
and we'll do all we can to help you resolve the problem.
21. How do I subscribe to Autocat?
A. Send LISTSERV the command SUBSCRIBE AUTOCAT
Note: the abbreviate SUB is acceptable
You will be asked to confirm your subscription. Follow the
instructions given within 48 hours or your subscription request will be
cancelled. This CONFIRM step serves two purposes: 1) it ensures that
no-one else can subscribe you to a list without your knowledge; and 2) it
confirms that mail can reach you at the e-mail address from which you sent
your subscription request.
22. How do I get off Autocat?
A. Send LISTSERV the command UNSUB AUTOCAT
23. Are there any regulations regarding what I can send or how I should
send it; i.e., what is the appropriate Netiquette?
For the answer to that question click on
AUTOCAT Netiquette
24. What is the copyright status of messages posted to Autocat?
Go to The
copyright status of messages posted to AUTOCAT
Last revised April 2, 2007
SEARCH
[search argument] IN AUTOCAT
SEARCH (CONGRESS
OR
LC) AND (CLASSIF* NOT (SUBJECT OR LCSH)) IN AUTOCAT SINCE 96/12/23LIST OF FREQUENTLY-ASKED-QUESTIONS
1. What is Autocat?
e.g., SET AUTOCAT NOMAIL
QUERY AUTOCAT
SET AUTOCAT NOMAIL
e.g.,
SUBSCRIBE AUTOCAT Janet L Doe