Tips on PacNet

PacNet, the discussion list of the PPHSN, is primarily meant to serve as an outbreak alert to trigger preparedness. It is hosted on a mailing list server called Lyris at SPC’S headquarters in Noumea. PacNet has been operating since April 1997. As of 29 February 2004, 525 health professionals from the Pacific region and beyond were subscribed to this list. You are probably one of these! To make its use easier, here are some useful tips on PacNet commands.

PacNet Email Commands

Here are some key commands that can be sent by email to PacNet:

Caution!

In general, messages must be sent to the following email address: [email protected]
Commands can be placed either in the subject line or in the body of the message.

Subscribing

subscribe pacnet your_name
join pacnet your_name
Or send a blank message to the alternate address:
[email protected]

Example: If John Smith wants to subscribe, he can:

  1. send the message subscribe pacnet john_smith to [email protected]
  2. send the message join pacnet john_smith to [email protected]
  3. send a blank message to
    [email protected]

Once subscribed, you receive a password from one of the list managers but you can later change it.

Setting your password

set pacnet pw=mypassword
(where “mypassword” appears, enter the password you wish to use)

Determining your membership settings

[Use this command if you have forgotten your password for example]
query pacnet

Acknowledgement

[To receive a confirmation message when your posts are distributed]
set pacnet ack
[To receive no confirmation message when your posts are distributed]
set pacnet noack

Receiving copies of your own posts

[To receive copies of your own posts]
set pacnet repro
[To receive no copies of your own posts]
set pacnet norepro

Unsubscribing

unsubscribe pacnet
leave pacnet
Or send a blank message to the alternate address:
[email protected]

Temporarily suspending mail from the list

[To suspend mail for a certain period, such as during holidays]
set pacnet nomail

Resuming mail from the list

set pacnet mail

Retrieving the list of PacNet members

review pacnet full

Searching the archives by email

You can request Lyris to send you the messages containing specific words:
search pacnet [specific words]
For instance, if you want to receive all the messages about (or mentioning) leptospirosis, send the following message to Lyris:
search pacnet leptospirosis

Caution!
Replying to a message from the list

When you reply to a message from the list, the reply goes to the WHOLE LIST and NOT just to the person who posted the message.
If you want to reply to the person only, don’t reply to the message, but FORWARD it to the person.

Attachments

Although it is possible to send attachments on PacNet, this usually causes problems. Therefore, it is better to copy and paste the text directly into the body of the message. Thank you!

Posting a message to the list:
[You must be a subscriber to post messages.]
Send your message to: [email protected]
Sending mail to this address will distribute it to all members of the mailing list.

PacNet website commands and archives
You can access the PacNet website (and archives) only if you subscribe to PacNet.

Direct URL: http://www.spc.int/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=pacnet

  • choose PacNet on the long list of Lyris mailing lists
  • enter your email address, press OK
  • enter your password and press OK

Through SPC’s PHS&CDC Section website: http://www.spc.int/phs

  • click on PacNet archives
  • choose PacNet on the long list of Lyris mailing lists
  • enter your email address, press OK
  • enter your password and press OK

Through PPHSN website: http://www.spc.int/phs/PPHSN/

  • click on PacNet (on the left banner)
  • click on PacNet archives
  • choose PacNet on the long list of Lyris mailing lists
  • enter your email address, press OK
  • enter your password, press OK

Once you have accessed the website, you can see all the messages

  • click on messages to open them
  • click on search to do a search
  • click on “my account” to consult/change your settings
  • click on “create new message” if you want to post a message to the list from the web.

Problems/questions:

If you have any problems or questions related to PacNet, please do not post them to the list. Send a message to the list managers [email protected] or to SPC’s PHS&CDC Section: [email protected]