This MAIL option means the user will receive individual messages as the are sent, as opposed to receiving a single digest collection of all messages that were sent within a span of time, like a month. The MAIL option can be replaced with the DIGEST or INDEX to change the format of the delivered messages. DIGEST means that all messages of a time span (e.g., a month) are collected and sent as a single message instead of individual messages. INDEX means that only the Subject lines of all messages of a time span are collected and sent as a single message. Directions on how to retrieve individual messages of that index are sent with the index listing. The option NODIGEST turns off the digest format of delivery. Similarly, NOINDEX turns off the index format. The MAIL option (as well as the NODIGEST and NOINDEX options) means messages are received as they are sent and are not collected into digests or indices.
The NOMAIL option is used to temporarily suspend reception of messages (regardless of the format: normal/digest/index). This option would useful if the recipient will be away on business or vacation, especially if your mail account has an automatic "out of office" reply. Without using the NOMAIL option while you re away will cause sever problems with the Listserv because there is a limit to the number of consecutive invalid commands you can issue to the Listserv before it suspends your membership. Establishing the MAIL option re-instates the usual delivery of messages. MAIL/NOMAIL does not change the DIGEST/INDEX setting.
Either of the aforementioned options can be established with a command of the form
set mylist-L opt
where "mylist-L" is the name of the specific list and "opt" is the desired option like index, NOMAIL, or digest. When the command is processed, the Listserv will return a message indicating the current set of characteristics, similar to the report obtained from using the query command. (Note that the options described in the following paragraphs are established in the same manner).
The MIME and FULLHRD (i.e., full header) options are the default options governing the format of how messages are sent electronically and how much header information is put in the received message.
The NOREPRO (i.e., no reproduction) option means that you will not receive a copy of any messages that you post to the List. This means, that you are not considered a list member for the messages that you yourself post to the List. The option REPRO reverses the setting so that you will receive a copy of the messages you yourself post to the List.
The ACK (i.e., acknowledge) option means that you will receive a short message from Listserv acknowledging the fact that your posting to the List has been received and will be redistributed to the membership. This option is reversed with the NOACK option - do not confirm or acknowledge receipt of a posting.