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How-to's for Yahoo Group Users
There are several methods:
- Method 1: You may be automatically subscribed to a mailing list if an organization has decided to use a Yahoo Group to maintain its mailing list. You do not need to log into the group website in order to use the group e-mail address and received group e-mail, but if you want to login to the group's Yahoo Groups web site, you will need a Yahoo ID and password. See How to Login to Group You Already Belong To.
- Method 2: If you know the URL of the Yahoo Group, you can go there and request a membership. You have to login with your Yahoo ID in order to request to "Join the Group". A group's web site is always "http://groups.yahoo.com/group/groupname/" where "groupname" is the name of the Yahoo group.
- For example, the URL for the Yahoo Group liturgy-done-well is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liturgy-done-well/.
- This method requires you to have a Yahoo ID and password. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to Register. if you do not have a Yahoo login, or to Sign in if you are an Existing Yahoo user.
- Method 3: If you receive an invitation to join via e-mail, click on the link in the e-mail message to join.
- You can subscribe to the mailing list without a Yahoo ID or without logging in if you know the name of the group. Send your request to "groupname-subscribe@yahoogroups.com", where "groupname" is the name of the Yahoo group. For example, to join the group "liturgy-done-well", send an e-mail to liturgy-done-well-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
- If your e-mail system doesn't allow you to enter long e-mail addresses, and the group has a long name, you may need have no choice but to subscribe by getting a Yahoo ID set up and logging into the group web page.
What are my choices for receiving e-mail from the group?
The choice may be defaulted when you first join a group and you may want to change it.
- You will need log in with your Yahoo ID.
- Go to the My Groups page (make sure you're signed in).
- Select "Edit My Groups"
- Next to each group, select your choice from the drop-down menu.
- Click the Save Changes button.
The choices are:
- Individual Emails: Each message comes to you as an individual e-mail message. This is usually the default choice for most groups.
- Daily Digest: All the messages for one day are bundled together and sent to you in a single e-mail message each day.
- Special notices: You receive only messages sent by group moderators. This is an option if you are in a group that combines notifications and discussions. But it means that if notifications are sent by anyone other than a moderator, you may miss out on it.
- No email: This is an option for the following circumstances:
- When you are on vacation
- You want to log into the web site and read the messages on-line. This is not a recommended option if a Yahoo Group is being used as a mailing list for an organization, because if you don't log in to check the messages on-line, you defeat the purpose for which the mailing list was established.
- You want access to group files, but do not want to be on the mailing list
How do I send a message to the group?
Easy - send a message to groupname@yahoogroups.com where "groupname" is the name of the Yahoo group. To send a message to the group liturgy-done-well, address it to liturgy-done-well@yahoogroups.com.
The subject of the message should clearly summarize what the message is about. It is helpful sometimes to put a keyword in brackets that categorizes the message. The subject will look something like:
[groupname] <type> Subject of message
Message type suggestions:
- <FAQ>
- Frequently Asked Questions update
- <EVENT> or <EVENTS>
- To announce an event
- <INFO>
- Side notes relevant to the group
- <JOB> or <JOBS>
- To announce job opening
- <MEETING>
- To announce a meeting
- <MISC>
- Miscellaneous message not fitting other categories
- <NEWS>
- Message containing commentary or news
- <OFF-TOPIC>
- You find it necessary to use the group to send a message that is off topic - not relevant to the group. For example, you are trying to get in touch with and you think someone in the group may know them
- <RANT>
- While you shouldn't use the group to rant, if you just can't hold back, at least warn people first by using the subject tag
- <REPOST>
- A resend of something that has already been sent to the group previously
- <REQUEST>
- You are seeking advice, information, need to locate some resources, etc.
- <TECH>
- Message containing technical information
- <URGENT>
- Self-explanatory - use only when truly appropriate
Subject examples:
[EDI-L] <TECH> Mercator Help
[EDI-L] <JOBS> EDI Manager - Green Bay, WI
What happens if I reply to a message?
A group will be set up in one of two ways:
- The group is set up so that replies are sent to the entire group
- The return address will be the group's e-mail address
- The group is set up so that replies are sent to the person who's sent the original message
- The return address will be to the person who sent the original message
How do I reply to the whole group if the group is set up to have replies go just to the person who originated the message?
Add the group e-mail address as a recipient of the reply. If your e-mail system allows it, delete the address of the person who sent the original message. He or she will get the reply as part of being on the group mailing list.
How do I reply to just the person who originated the message if the group is set up to have replies go to the whole group?
If your e-mail system allows you to delete the group e-mail address from the reply, do so, then add the address of the person who sent the original message as a recipient of the reply. You should be able to cut and paste it from the copy of the original message.
If your e-mail system does not allow you to delete the group e-mail address from the reply, then do not use "reply". Instead, forward the original message to the person who sent the original message, or simply send a new message to the person. You should be able to cut and paste the person's e-mail address from the copy of the original message.
How do I Register (set up a Yahoo ID/login)?
!!!!!!!
--- Important Caveat 1--- !!!!!!
BE SURE TO ENTER YOUR PREFERRED E-MAIL
ADDRESS IN THE FIELD CALLED "Alternate Email". This is the #1 thing that
goes wrong in registration.
The name of the field is misleading. What Yahoo calls your "Alternate" e-mail address is really what you know to be your "Primary" or "real" e-mail address. When you fill in this field, this is the address that will be used for all communications.
!!!!!!! --- Important Caveat 2--- !!!!!!
If you don't want to set up a Yahoo email address, uncheck the box. Yahoo
creates an @yahoo.com address for you if you don't. Don't worry - if you
don't want to use the @yahoo.com address, it will die a natural death.
Important Caveat 1, continued ... But, what happens if you don't fill in "Alternate e-mail" with your "real" e-mail address is that Yahoo thinks the Yahoo address is your only e-mail address. If you then try to access a group where you are already registered under your "real" e-mail address, you can't gain access.
If you try to join the a
group using the Yahoo e-mail address, and you have not put your real name in
your profile, it gives the moderator the Yahoo address, the moderator checks
the profile, and sees from the profile that there's no name given - and can't
tell who is asking to join. So the moderator sends an e-mail to the Yahoo
e-mail address asking for more information. But whoever set up the Yahoo ID
doesn't check this e-mail account that they never wanted in the first place and
never gets that message. Then the moderator denies the membership.
!!!!!!! --- Important Caveat 3--- !!!!!!
If you've set up a Yahoo login in order to access a group you already belong
to, wait 15-30 minutes after setting up the Yahoo ID before trying to access
that group.
!!!!!!! --- Important Caveat 4--- !!!!!!
When YOU set up a Yahoo ID, the first time you log into the group there will be
a box that has a link "Create a profile". WAIT!!! CAREFUL!!! Another misleading
screen that Yahoo needs to fix. If you read carefully, it says the Yahoo ID you
already set up will be used. You only need to click the
link if you want to set up ANOTHER profile to use. Skip the "Create new
profile" and hit the "Continue" button, and you'll be in.
How do I log in to a Yahoo Group?
How do I turn off e-mail while I'm away?
- You will need log in with your Yahoo ID.
- Go to the My Groups page (make sure you're signed in).
- Select "Edit My Groups"
- Next to each group, select No Mail/Web Only from the drop-down menu.
- Click the Save Changes button.
When you return, follow the same procedure and select your choice to turn the e-mail back on. You can catch up on messages you missed during your absence by logging into each group and going to the Messages section of your group.
How do I report a problem or lodge a complaint?
Do not report the problem or make the complaint to the entire group. Send your issue to groupname-owner@yahoogroups.com where "groupname" is the name of the Yahoo group.
What do I do if I am offended by someone or something?
The following is great stuff from http://www.crimsoncircle.com/yahoo-rules.htm:
"So, what are the options when our egos have taken affront to an interpretation of what someone posted?
A. Reply to them privately, requesting clarification and sharing your interpretation - without blame.
B. Ask for help in understanding your feelings, either publicly or privately. This involves describing your feelings - not acting on them.
C. Forgiveness. Turn the other cheek. Ignore it.
D. Talk to your True Self. Ask for the gift in this turmoil. What am I to learn here? Use pure intent. Use feeling.
E. Your True Self may have thought of something even better that just popped in your head right now. You'll know it's right when it feels loving, inclusive, healing, inspiring, empowering and energizing. (Just to name a few. :)
If something just pissed you off, your ego was filtering your perception at the time. It was in the driver's seat. By the way, the ego isn't bad. It just doesn't have the overall perspective that your Whole Self does. It's not able to see the big picture. It's not the other person's fault. They are doing you a service by bringing your issue up to the surface. They deserve thanks! Not blame. This is not a problem. It is an opportunity! Hot dog! :)"If this advice from Crimson Circle doesn't do it for you, you may, of course, report a problem to the list owner.
Suggestions for Group Etiquette
Groups may establish their own rules of etiquette, but the following are suggested rules for most groups.
See also "Frequently Asked Questions". Also, there are many help pages available when you log into a Yahoo Group on the web.
