Frequently Asked Questions

SANET-MG Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Please review the questions and answers below before contacting the list owner with additional questions. Please save this message for future reference.

Table of Contents

What is SANET-MG?
What types of topics are appropriate on SANET-MG?
How does SANET work?
Who can subscribe to SANET-MG?
How do I subscribe to the list?
How do I unsubscribe from the list?
Which address should I use?
Is SANET-MG available in digest format?
Do I need a password?
How can I get a new password?
What are the default subscription settings?
How do I change or customize my settings?
How do I post to the list?
Can I temporarily disable my subscription?
Are attachments allowed on this list?
How can I control access to my e-mail address?
What is the maximum posting size allowable?
Some messages appear with HTML formatting codes in the text - why?
Are list searches available?
Why don’t I receive a copy of my own post?
General Commands

What is SANET-MG?
 SANET-MG is a discussion group (listserv) for and about sustainable agriculture. Use SANET-MG to ask questions about sustainable agriculture, network with others interested in sustainable agriculture and post announcements of events, jobs and information resources. It is hosted by the SARE Outreach. With over 800 subscribers, SANET-MG is a valuable network of information about sustainable agriculture.

What types of topics are appropriate on SANET-MG?
 SANET-MG is a discussion group about sustainable agriculture. Discussions should focus on practical and philosophical topics associated with farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities. Messages can include newsletters, announcements, opinions and requests for information. A typical posting to SANET-MG is a question about a specific concept or practice, posed by a subscriber. Responses can be to the individual or to the group. Many times, the original questioner will compile the answers, such as a reading list or bibliography, and post that back to the whole group.

How does SANET work?
 Subscribers to SANET-MG receive every message sent by any other subscriber to the list. SANET-MG is unmoderated, which means that there is no screening of messages sent to the list. Traffic on the list currently averages about 20 - 40 messages per week. You must be subscribed to post to the list.

Who can subscribe to SANET-MG?
 Anyone with an e-mail account can subscribe to SANET-MG. Subscribers represent the many people and organizations working for a more sustainable agriculture. Typical subscribers include farmers, ranchers, graduate students, extension agents, researchers, educators and other sustainable agriculture advocates.

How do I subscribe to the list?
 You can subscribe to the list in two ways:

- Send a message to LISTSERV@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU. In the BODY of the message type only: "subscribe SANET-MG" (without the quotation marks).
 - Use the web interface at: http://sanet.SARE.org/archives/sanet-mg.html. Follow the instructions on the screen to customize your settings and join the list.

How do I unsubscribe from the list?
 You can unsubscribe from the list in two ways:

- Send a message to LISTSERV@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU. In the BODY of the message type only: "unsubscribe SANET-MG" (without the quotation marks). This message must be send from the e-mail account that is subscribed to the list.
 - Use the web interface at: http://sanet.SARE.org/archives/sanet-mg.html. Follow the instructions on the screen to customize your settings or leave the list.

Which address should I use?
 Note the important distinction between the e-mail addresses you may use to interact with the list:
 Post Address: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU- Use this to post to the entire group. Do not send personal messages, commands to the list, or queries to the list owner to this address.
 Command Address: LISTSERV@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU- Use this address to subscribe or unsubscribe, change your settings or send other commands to the list. See the list below for some of the commands than can be sent to this address.
 Owner Address: coordinator@sare.org- This is the address to use if you want to talk to the person responsible for managing this list. Use it only when you cannot resolve your question using the web interface or by issuing commands to the list through the command address.

Is SANET-MG available in a digest format?
 Yes. You can choose to receive your SANET-MG postings grouped in digest format instead of individually. SANET-MG digests are issued daily at midnight, or when the size of queued messages reaches a specified threshold. Go to http://sanet.SARE.org/archives/sanet-mg.html to change your settings.

Do I need a password?
 Passwords are optional. You can access and change all of your account settings without a password. However, obtaining a password allows you to customize and confirm your settings without requiring an e-mail confirmation. If you would prefer to change your settings without e-mail confirmation, visit http://sanet.SARE.org/archives/sanet-mg.html to obtain a password or log on with your existing password.

How can I get a new password?
 If you lose or forget your password, you must obtain a new one. Visit http://sanet.SARE.org/archives/sanet-mg.html to obtain a new password.

What are the default subscription settings?
 SANET will use default settings for your account if you do not specify alternative settings. Under the default settings you will receive each e-mail individually and receive a copy of your own postings.

How do I change or customize my subscription settings?
 - You can change your settings using the web interface at http://sanet.SARE.org/archives/sanet-mg.html. Follow the instructions on the screen to customize your settings.
 - You can also change your settings by sending an e-mail to LISTSERV@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU and typing any of the commands below into the BODY of the message. (Omit the brackets around the command in your message.)

[SET SANET-MG NODIGEST] To receive individual postings immediately as they are processed by the listserv.
 [SET SANET-MG NOMIME DIGEST] To receive a traditional digest with messages grouped together.
 [SET SANET-MG NOHTML MIME DIGEST] To receive digests which separate each message from the digest so they can be read separately. (Requires mail client that understands MIME digests.)
 [SET SANET-MG NOHTML INDEX] To receive periodic indexes with include summaries of each posting that can be downloaded as desired. This format is recommended for those with slow connections
 [SET SANET-MG NOACK NOREPRO] To receive no acknowledgement of postings you send to the list.
 [SET SANET-MG ACK NOREPRO] To receive a short message confirming receipt and delivery of your postings.
 [SET SANET-MG NOACK REPRO] To receive copies of your own postings.
 [SET SANET-MG NOMAIL] To temporarily disable your account.
 [SET SANET-MG MAIL] To resume receiving mail on your account.
 [SET SANET-MG CONCEAL] To conceal your e-mail address from the list of subscribers.

How do I post to the list?
 To post to the list, send a message to: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU- All mail sent to this address will be sent to the entire group. Do not send personal messages, commands to the list, or queries to the list owner to this address.

Can I temporarily disable my subscription?
 You can temporarily disable your account by sending an e-mail to: LISTSERV@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU and type "NOMAIL" into the BODY of the message. To reactivate your account, send an e-mail to LISTSERV@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU and type "MAIL" into the BODY of the message. You may also temporarily disable your account using the web interface at: http://sanet.SARE.org/archives/sanet-mg.html. Choose the option "Mail delivery disabled temporarily" and click "JOIN SANET-MG" to disable your account. To reactivate your account using the web interface, clear the option "Mail delivery disabled temporarily" and click "JOIN SANET-MG."

Are attachments allowed on this list?
 To limit the transmission of viruses and other objectionable material, attachments are not permitted on SANET-MG.

How can I control access to my e-mail address?
 Please note that other people can determine that you are signed up to the list through the use of the "REVIEW" command, which returns the e-mail address and name of all subscribers. If you do not want your name to be visible, send a message to: LISTSERV@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU and type "SET SANET-MG CONCEAL" (without quotation marks) in the body of the message. NOTE: If you post messages to the list, your e-mail address will appear in the list archives.

What is the maximum posting size allowable?
 1 Megabyte.

Some messages appear with html format codes in the text- why?
 HTML postings are not allowed on SANET. HTML postings often include formatting code which makes the message difficult to read. Subscribers should send messages using plain text only. If html formatting appears in your digest, try changing your subscription settings to "Digest (MIME format)." To do so, go to http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html, click on "Join or leave the list (or change settings)," enter your e-mail address, then select "Digest (MIME format)."

Are list archives available?
 Contributions sent to this list are automatically archived. Due to changes in technology, archives are maintained in two separate databases. Links to searchable archives are provided at http://sanet.SARE.org/archives/sanet-mg.html.

Why don’t I receive a copy of my own post?
 Some email services (e.g. Google Mail) filter out inbound messages that are identical to those sent from that address. If this problem occurs, first verify that your subscription preferences are set to enable you to receive copies of your own postings. Then, post your message to the correct list address. Wait a few minutes, and check the list archives to see if your message has posted there. If your message appears in the archives, it will be distributed to the entire list, even if it hasn’t appeared in your in box. You may have to use a different email service if you want to receive copies of your own posts.

General Commands
 There are a number of general LISTSERV commands available to help you better manage your account. To send any of the commands below, send a message to LISTSERV@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU and type the command into the BODY of the message. Omit the brackets in the text of your message.
 [HELP]- To obtain a list of common commands.
 [QUERY SANET-MG]- To obtain a list of your current SANET-MG settings.
 [INFO REFCARD]- To obtain a complete list of LISTSERV Commands.