
                                ECHOLIST
                      The EchoMail Conference List
                       FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

01 Dec 96                                                  ELFAQ612.TXT

   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.

   Changes since the last issue are highlighted in the left margin with
   the pipe symbol '|'.

   Contents:

        1.  New Elist Entry
        2.  Who to Contact
        3.  Checking information
        4.  Backbone Distribution
        5.  Reply Netmail
        6.  Correct Address
        7.  Lost Password
        8.  Inactive Co-Moderator
        9.  Missing Moderator
        10. Unlisted Moderator
        11. Expired Echo Tags
        12. Echo Highjacking
        13. Elist Numbering System
        14. Elist Software
        15. Elist & Backbone expiry periods


   1. 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.ZIP either by local file request
            from your Echomail Coordinator or Hub, by freq from 1:1/201
            using the magic name ELMOD, or from the Internet Web page
            http://www.portal.ca/~awalker/elist.htm.  Follow the
            instructions contained in this file carefully, and your
            Elist entry will be confirmed by netmail from 1:1/201.

   2. Who to Contact
   =================

   I have some questions regarding Elisting.  Whom should I contact?

   Answer:  The Elist Coordinator is only responsible for maintaining
            the software and the data files, and ensuring their
            distribution.  For reasons of time, individual inquiries can
            not usually be answered.  Here are the best options:

   Elist update format:        read ELMOD.
   Other Elist questions:      read ELFAQ (this file).
   Latest Elist files:         freq ELIST, ELRUL or ELMOD from 1:1/201.
   Getting files locally:      Net Echomail Coordinator.
   Moderator disputes:         Echomail Ombudsman (Jason Steck).
   Echo highjackings:          Echomail Ombudsman (Jason Steck).
   Forgot Elist password:      Zone 1 ZEC (Bruce Bodger).
   Co-moderator has password:  Zone 1 ZEC (Bruce Bodger).
   Echo content objections:    Head of distribution system.
   Understanding help files:   Net Echomail Coordinator.
   Other questions:            Moderators in MOD_COUNCIL or ECHOLIST echo.
   No luck after all that:     Region Echomail Coordinator.

   3. Checking information
   =======================

   I'd like some information on my Elist entry - would you check it?

   Answer:  Because the Elist contains over 1500 echoes, it is not
            possible for the Echolist Coordinator to provide information
            or guidance to each Moderator separately.  The Elist archive
            (ELISTnnn.ZIP) contains this FAQ file and the ELMODnnn.TXT
            file which between them provide answers to most of the
            commonly asked questions.

            To check the status of an echo's listing, you have the
            following options:

            1.  The ECHO QUERY and OPTION HOLD functions detailed in ELMOD.
            2.  The postings of successful updates in the ECHOLIST echo.
            3.  The weekly posting of the ELTAG summary in the ECHOLIST echo.
            4.  File requesting the magic name ELTAG from 1:153/752.

            If your question is still not answered after reading these,
            your next approach, in order, is to ask your sysop, your
            Net's NEC, and finally your Region's REC.  Please avoid
            netmailing the Echolist Coordinator until you have checked
            all the above sources of information.

   4. 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.

   5. 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.

            Alternatively, if you have specified OPTION HOLD the reply
            will be waiting for you to pick up about 1 hour later (In
            fact it is usually ready 60 seconds later, but if the
            Echolist system is processing a major mail dump, your update
            may be processed at the end of that cycle).

            By using the ECHO QUERY function explained in the ELMOD
            file, you can obtain a copy of the latest database entry for
            a particular echo.  Please note that Query messages are
            processed using the data on file PRIOR TO the arrival of the
            query message - any updates which arrived at the same time
            will not be reflected in the query.

            A successful update is also acknowledged by an automated
            daily posting in the ECHOLIST echo.

            Any messages incorrectly formatted, but correctly addressed,
            will receive a written acknowledgement, and missing data
            will be noted.  In such cases none of the information in the
            update is used to update the database.  If in doubt about
            formatting the message consult the current version of ELMOD.

   6. Correct Address
   ==================

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

   Answer:  The Elist software is run every time inbound mail is
            received.  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.

            In particular it is important to avoid addressing the update
            to 'Adrian Walker' at 1:1/201, this being one of the more
            common addressing errors.  These messages are ignored by the
            Robot and get deleted.

            With non passworded sessions the packets are inspected
            automatically to make sure that they are netmail and if so
            they are moved into the secure inbound area for processing.

            With Internet email updates, the email is scanned for the
            presence of Elist date and moved into the netmail area for
            normal processing.  Afterwards, the Elist reply message is
            scanned for an Internet address and moved into the email
            area for SMTP forwarding.

   7. Lost Password
   ================

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

   Answer:  Sorry but no.  The Echolist software functions largely
            unattended, so such requests are ignored by the Robot, and
            the Echolist Coordinator does not answer such requests
            personally.

            A Moderator in this position should explain the situation to
            the ZEC for Zone 1 (Bruce Bodger), and will need to convince
            him that there is good reason to provide him or her with the
            echo's password.

            If the ZEC approves of the password release, he may request
            that the Echolist Coordinator release the password to him
            for forwarding to you. This ensures that the password only
            goes to the legitimate moderator.  The password transfer to
            the ZEC is conducted by a secure routed mail link.

   8. Inactive Co-Moderator
   ========================

   My co-Moderator has the Elist password but has not updated the entry
   which is now about to expire.  He is still in the nodelist or active
   in the echo, so he has not gone missing.  I do not have the password.
   Can you provide it to me?

   Answer:  Elist passwords are not divulged.  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 Robot will not compromise the security of the
            password.

            This is an issue which should be resolved with the other
            Moderator.  If this proves impossible, Jason Steck, Zone 1
            Echomail Ombudsman, has agreed to mediate any such disputes
            to attempt to help the moderators resolve their differences.

   9. Missing Moderator
   ====================

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

   Answer:  Generally, moderator selection 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.

            The ZEC for Zone 1 (Bruce Bodger) may provide an echo's
            password to a replacement moderator AFTER the echo has
            become unlisted if, in his opinion, the original moderator
            has abandoned the echo.

   10. Unlisted Moderator
   ====================

   An echo's listed moderator is not reachable at the address specified
   in the Elist entry.  He is either not in the Fidonet nodelist, or can
   not be reached from Fidonet, or his Internet email address is not
   accessible.  What should be done?

   Answer:  The Elist, for reasons of time available, does not verify
            addresses to see if they are usable.  If they are not, the
            Moderator will not receive any update messages.  As long as
            the echo poses no problem which would require contact by the
            Echolist Coordinator, and the entry remains current, the
            echo may remain listed.

            If a problem results in the Echolist Coordinator being
            unable to reach the Moderator after a reasonable effort, the
            echo's listing will be dropped immediately with no grace
            period, and the password will be purged from the database.
            At that time anyone may list the echo under their own name.

            As a result, it is *strongly* recommended that Moderators
            ensure that their Elisted netmail/email address is current
            and correct!  :)

   11. Expired Echo Tags
   =====================

   I noticed that an echo I am interested in has been deleted from the
   Elist.  Can I take over the tag and send in an update myself?

   Answer:  It depends on how long ago the echo listing expired.

            When an Elist entry expires after 6 months without being
            updated, the listing for it is removed from the Elist
            distribution file.  The echo's record is automatically
            purged from the database 30 days later, so prior to that
            time only the holder of the password may relist the echo.

            After that time, the echo tag can be listed by anyone who
            wishes to do so, and there is no recourse for the previous
            user of the tag, nor will any correspondence be entered into
            on the subject.

            NOTE:

            Warning, expiry and purging are performed when the Elist is
            published on the first of each month, so for calculation
            purposes the software assumes that an echo was updated on
            the first of the month following the actual update.

   12. Echo Highjacking
   ====================

   My echo was dropped from the Elist several months ago 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, others may get
            access to the listing.

            Data for expired echo listings is not purged from the
            database until 30 days after the listing has been removed
            from the monthly distribution file.  After that the tag may
            be listed by anyone wishing to do so.  Such a listing is not
            considered a highjacking, and the Echolist Coordinator will
            not answer correspondence in these cases.

   13. 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.ZIP contains ELIST507.TXT,
            ELMOD507.TXT and ELIST507.FAQ.

   14. 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
            version 7 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, extracts data from
            update messages, and performs lookup and password checking
            functions.  Separate related programs perform the sorting,
            updating, expiry warning and deletion functions.  It is not
            available for distribution.

   15. Elist & Backbone expiry periods
   ===================================

   I am confused about the various time periods for Elist updates and
   expiry, and their relationship to North American Backbone warning and
   expiry periods.

   Answer:  Although the Elist and the North American Backbone are
           independent (see FAQ #4 above), here is the combined schedule
           of Elist and Backbone expiry dates which moderators whose
           echoes are carried on this Backbone should be aware of:

           1.  Elist update submitted by moderator.
           2.  5 months after update, Elist warning of expiry.
           3.  6 months after update, Elist expiry and deletion.
           4.  6 months after update, Backbone moves echo from BACKBONE.NA
                                      to BACKBONE.NO.
           5.  7 months after update, Elist password purged.
           6.  9 months after update, Backbone deletes echo from BACKBONE.NO
                                      and stops distribution.

            NOTE:

            1.  If an echo is missing its moderator, the above schedule
            allows a new moderator to relist the echo after password
            purging but still 2 months before the Backbone stops
            distributing the echo (ie between steps 5 and 6 above).
            This has been arranged to prevent any need to divulge
            passwords to other than the listed moderator.

            2.  Warning, expiry and purging are performed when the Elist is
            published on the first of each month, so for calculation
            purposes the software assumes that an echo was updated on
            the first of the month following the actual update.

                              ---ooo000ooo---
