This document provides highlights of the most frequently asked
questions (FAQ) and issues about the ULTRA mailing list. It will be
posted to the ULTRA list at the beginning of every month. This
document is also available at
http://junior.apk.net/~jurczyk/ultra/minifaq
You can also obtain the document by e-mail by sending a message to
listserv@listserv.dartmouth.edu
In the body of the message put the line:
get ultra minifaq
To obtain the complete ULTRA FAQ, send a message to
listserv@listserv.dartmouth.edu
In the body of the message put the line:
get ultra faq
Q: What is the ULTRA list ?
A: The ULTRA list is a mailing list discussion group covering the topic of
ultramarathons. An ultramarathon is a footrace which, in general, is
longer than a traditional marathon. The ULTRA list is run on LISTSERV
software hosted at Dartmouth University. A detailed LISTSERV user's guide
is available at:
http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8d/userindex.html
The ULTRA mailing list consists of subscribers from both the original ULTRA
and IUS-L (Internet Ultra Society) lists which merged in January, 1999.
Q: Where do I send messages to be read by the list subscribers?
Is that different than the address to change my subscription options?
What if I just need somebody to help me with my subscription?
A: When you want to send mail to be read by the entire list, send it to
the 'posting' address:
ultra@listserv.dartmouth.edu
When you want to do something with your list subscription (unsubscribe,
check your options, turn off mail) DO NOT send to the posting address.
It won't work, and will annoy everybody. Send subscription requests to the 'listserv'
address:
listserv@listserv.dartmouth.edu
If you need help, send a message to
ultra-request@listserv.dartmouth.edu
and one of the listowners will help you.
Q: What kind of messages can I post to the ULTRA list ? What kind can
I not post to the ULTRA list ?
A: In general, almost types of messages are fine. However, remember that
your message will be seen by over 1250 subscribers. When replying to a
message, consider whether your message will be relevant to the entire group
or just the person who originated the message. Types of messages that
are not allowed include: flaming of other list subscribers, SPAM, and
advertising (except for race announcements).
Q: What types of mail can I send to the list? Is it okay to post web pages,
pictures, word processor docs or programs?
A: Send ONLY text-only email to the list.. Do not send HTML, MIME,
uuencoded, word processor or any other non-text files to the ULTRA list.
(Note: this often is done by people posting messages with Outlook or
Netscape Communicator. See http://junior.apk.net/~jurczyk/mailformat
for more details.) Many subscribers read in digest mode (see the next
question) or do not have software which allows them to view these
non-text messages and the result on their end is garbage. If you want
readers to see a web page, post the URL of the web site instead.
Q: There are a lot of messages on the list. How can I cut down
on the number of messages that I receive in my mailbox ?
A: You may want to read the list in digest mode. In digest
mode, you'll receive messages in a couple of daily compilations rather
than as individual messages . (A digest is compiled after every 1000
lines of messages are sent to the list and once every day at 2PM EST.)
To receive messages in digest mode, send a message to:
listserv@listserv.dartmouth.edu
In the body of the message, put the line:
set ultra digest
Q: I want to stop receiving messages temporarily. How do I do this ?
A: To stop receiving list mail temporarily, you can 'go NOMAIL'. To do
this, send a message to the listserv address:
listserv@listserv.dartmouth.edu
with the line
set ultra nomail
in the body of the message.
To start receiving messages again, send another message to the
listserv address with the words:
set ultra mail
or:
set ultra digest
in the body of the message, depending on which mode you prefer.
Q: I want to leave the ULTRA list. How do I do that?
A:To unsubscribe from the list, send a message to the listserv address.
In the body of the message, put the line:
unsub ultra
Q: Why did I get set to NOMAIL by one of the listowners ?
A: In general, subscribers are set to NOMAIL because messages are
failing to be delivered to their mailbox. This could be because
their mailbox is full, their mailing address has changed, or there is some
temporary or permanent problem with their site. Since each of these
'bounces' generates an error message to the listowner, the listowner will,
to keep his mail volume down, set the offending address to NOMAIL soon
after it begins to bounce. You can go back to mail or digest mode using
the steps outlined above in the question regarding NOMAIL. You can
also check your settings on the list by sending a message to the listserv
address with the words:
query ultra
in the body of the message.
Q: When I send one of the above commands or try tt post a message to
the list, I receive a message back from the listserv address saying that I
am not subscribed to the list, even though I know I am. What happened ?
A: You must send requests to the listserv address from the
EXACT address from which you are subscribed to the ULTRA
list. (Sometimes your address is changed by your site
administrator without telling you.) To see which address(es) are subscribed
to the list, send a message to the listserv address with the words:
review ultra
in the body of the message.
Q: What if I don't want to show up in the list of subscribers?
A: Send a message to the listserv address with the words:
set ultra conceal
in the body of the message. Your name and address will then not
show up when others perform a review of the list. (Note though that,
as of now, only list subscribers are able to do a review of the list.)
Q: How can I see old messages posted to the list ?
A: Old ULTRA messages are available at
http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/archives/ultra.html
There you can search the archives by keyword or date or scan
weekly archives of messages. (You can also receive archives by e-mail.
See the complete FAQ for more details.)
Q: What other resources are available on the Internet about ultras ?
A: Some of the more popular ultra-related web sites are
Ultramarathon World (published by David Blaikie)
http://fox.nstn.ca/~dblaikie/index.html
UltraRunning Magazine
http://www.ultrarunning.com
Marathon and Beyond Magazine
http://www.marathonandbeyond.com
ULTRA Bio's (compiled by Stan Jensen)
http://www.run100s.com/Bios/
100 Mile Race Info (compiled by Stan Jensen)
http://www.run100s.com/ultra.htm
Course Descriptions (compiled by Jim Winne)
http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/montana/5
World Ultra Calendar (compiled by Richard Lulin)
http://www.multimania.com/ultrarun/runframe.html
Q: Who "runs" the list ?
A: While Dartmouth University hosts the list, Dave Combs and
Joe Jurczyk are the listowners. They handle administrative
requests and take care of technical problems such as bouncing
mail. If you have a general question about the list, please send it to
ultra-request@listserv.dartmouth.edu
and your question will be answered by one of the listowners.
Dave and Joe can also be reached by email directly at the following
addresses:
Joe Jurczyk jurczyk@apk.net
Dave Combs combs@broadvision.com
If you have suggestions for other topics for the MiniFaq or
FAQ, please send them to
ultra-request@listserv.dartmouth.edu