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[previous article] [next article]If you have a group of people to which you send mail messages frequently, there is an easier way to get the news out than writing each individual separately.
It is possible to create a mail alias which will include everyone in the group but requires only one login. For example, if you are the captain of a softball team and need to send news to each member of the team frequently, rather than sending 18 different messages, an alias would be infinitely more convenient to you.
The first step is to create a file in your home directory called ".mailrc". Within that file each alias you set up will be an independent line. If your list of recipients is longer than a screen width, allow the listing to wrap-around (the computer understands, even if it looks odd). The format of each alias line is
If your team is the "bluejays" you would set up your file as follows:
$ edit .mailrc a alias bluejays player1 player2 player3 player4...player18 . :wq $
The next time you want to send mail to your team members you would type
$ mail bluejays SUBJECT: team practice PIZZA!! after practice tonight!!! control d $
Everyone listed in your alias line will receive the mail message and you will have saved yourself much time and effort.
WARNING: Know your audience, not everyone reads their electronic mail!! (It is hard to believe, but true.)
DOUBLE WARNING: Do not abuse the power of the mail alias with mass mailings. Large mailings overtax our limited computing resources. Contact your site specialist about more efficient methods to contact large groups or whole classes.
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