The Use of URLs as Meta-Syntax for Core Mail List Commands and their Transport through Message Header Fields

摘要

The mailing list command specification header fields are a set ofstructured fields to be added to email messages sent by emaildistribution lists. Each field typically contains a URL (usuallymailto [RFC2368]) locating the relevant information or performing thecommand directly. The three core header fields described in thisdocument are List-Help, List-Subscribe, and List-Unsubscribe.There are three other header fields described here which, althoughnot as widely applicable, will have utility for a sufficient numberof mailing lists to justify their formalization here. These areList-Post, List-Owner and List-Archive.By including these header fields, list servers can make it possiblefor mail clients to provide automated tools for users to perform listfunctions. This could take the form of a menu item, push button, orother user interface element. The intent is to simplify the userexperience, providing a common interface to the often cryptic andvaried mailing list manager commands.