Subject: Finding information in Parkinson Archives by E-mail 1/1/96
 
This is a periodic posting on Finding Information In Parkinson Archives By
E-mail.
 
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Date of Posting: January 1, 1996
 
DISCARD ANY EARLIER POSTINGS AND PRINT THIS ONE FOR REFERENCE.
 
For assistance E-mail jcott.ionet.net or Homeboy on the=20
Parkinsons channel on the Undernet.
 
Queries discussed in this article should be addressed to:
[log in to unmask] <<< AND NOT TO >>> [log in to unmask]
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.  START OF FINDING INFORMATION IN PARKINSON ARCHIVES BY E-MAIL
2.  ADVANCED USES OF THE 'SELECT' COMMAND
3.  USING THE TOOLS TO SEARCH OTHER LISTSERV DATABASES
4.  FINDING CURRENT SUBSCRIBER ADDRESSES
5.  SENDING MAIL TO .BITNET ADDRESSES FROM THE INTERNET
6.  EXPLANATION OF THE MAIL OPTIONS FOR THE PARKINSN LIST
7.  FINE TUNING YOUR SEARCH
8.  USING DATES IN SEARCHES
9.  UNDERSTANDING THE PARKINSN GOPHER
10. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN "TOOLS", LISTSERV COMMANDS AND GOPHER
11. PROBLEMS? COMMON ERRORS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
1. START OF FINDING INFORMATION IN PARKINSON ARCHIVES BY E-MAIL
 
 Everything discussed on the Parkinsn list can be found using the=20
listserv. Every message posted to the list is archived in Notebooks=20
which are simple to search by E-mail.
 
 Currently the listserv handles over 150 searches of the archive per=20
week and delivers posts to over 110,000 subscribers to the various=20
lists that are served by the University of Toronto. A majority of the=20
searches are done by Parkinsn list members using the tools you are=20
about to learn about.
 
 These tools have been used to provide background for the various=20
newspaper and magazine stories that introduced many of you to the=20
Parkinsn List. Our over 950 subscribers reside in 29 countries.
 
 All that it takes to find anything ever discussed in the PARKINSN
(notice the spelling) database uses the following method.
 
Send mail to: [log in to unmask]
 
In the Subject: put anything or nothing at all(this isn't read by the=20
machine)
 
Enter the following information:
 
//DBlook   JOB   Echo=3DNo
Database Search DD=3DRules
//Rules DD *
select blue glasses in parkinsn
index
 
Don't put anything else in the message even your signature. SPACING is
CRITICAL between the words.
 
The word JOB (see above) requires 3 spaces before and after.
 
The line that begins with //Rules DD requires a space before the=20
* (asterisk).
 
Explanation:
 
 The word SELECT(caps just for emphasis) is a command that the listserv
understands to tell it to look for the word or words just before IN(caps
again just for emphasis).  In this test message, the words, blue glasses=20
are what we want the machine to look for.=20
 
 The words, IN PARKINSN tells the listserv where to look for blue=20
glasses, which is in the parkinsn database.
 
 The parkinsn database includes all the notebooks which hold the Parkinson
messages, since day one.  Don't confuse the word Parkinson with the=20
database name which is parkinsn.=20
 
 The word INDEX(caps again just for emphasis) is a command that tells=20
the listserv to send you a list of messages that contain the words=20
you specified.
 
Send the message.
 
 You will receive a message back from a listserv which will tell you the=20
number of hits that resulted from your search.  Below this, a list of=20
messages will be given.
 
 The ITEM # in the first column is important. Each message will have a=20
unique number.  The Recs column shows how many lines are in the message.
 
 If you send the example of blue glasses you will receive the following
message in a few minutes.
 
 
> select blue glasses in parkinsn
--> Database PARKINSN, 26 hits.
 
> index
Item #   Date   Time  Recs   Subject
------   ----   ----  ----   -------
000595 94/06/19 10:21   50   Dyskinesia Test
001380 94/12/14 17:33   74   Asthma and PD
----------------snip-----------------------------
001760 95/02/03 10:04   60   seeing
001802 95/02/08 09:06   12   Re: light and blue glasses
001809 95/02/08 19:48   27   Re: light and blue glasses
001812 95/02/08 21:10   25   Re: light and blue glasses
001821 95/02/09 15:25   10   BLUE GLASSES
001846 95/02/13 09:35   11   Re: BLUE GLASSES
001850 95/02/13 14:30  129   Finding Information In Parkinson Archives By=
 E-mail
 
Each one of these messages will contain the words blue glasses in either
the subject or the body(text of the message).  The Recs column is how=20
many lines each message contains.
 
 
HOW DO I GET THESE MESSAGES?
 
Enter the following information:
 
//DBlook   JOB   Echo=3DNo
Database Search DD=3DRules
//Rules DD *
select blue glasses in parkinsn
print all (THIS IS WHERE YOU ENTER THOSE UNIQUE NUMBERS(INDEX #),
          SEPARATED WITH A  SPACE, THAT WERE IN THE FIRST COLUMN)
 
Example:
 
print all 1821 1846
 
 From experience, some of the posts can be quite long and the listserv=20
will restrict the number of lines it will send per request.  You can=20
safely retrieve up to about 700 lines of messages with a single batch=20
command and have it all arrive in a single message without truncating.=20
>From a practical standpoint, if you save the Job Language batch command=20
to a text file, it is easy to edit the message numbers in the print all=20
line without having to retype the whole schmaltz each time.
 
 Can I ask more than one question in the first message requesting a=20
parkinsn database search?
 
Yes.
 
Example:
 
//DBlook   JOB   Echo=3DNo
Database Search DD=3DRules
//Rules DD *
select blue glasses in parkinsn
index
select left foot dragging in parkinsn
index
 
 
 In this example, another search would be made for left foot dragging=20
and an index would be returned.  Receive those messages the same way=20
with the print all and then the unique message number.  Remember, if you=20
request a number of messages that contain more than about 700 lines, you=20
may not receive all of them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. ADVANCED USES OF THE 'SELECT' COMMAND
 
 Multiple qualifiers can be used with the Select command to filter the=20
list of messages. For example, perhaps you remembered seeing a message=20
that gave the name of a neurosurgeon who performed pallidotomies in=20
Dallas. At that time it didn't interest you but since then you have=20
changed your mind.
 
 To use multiple qualifiers use the example below in the body of a message
sent to: [log in to unmask]
 
//DBlook   JOB   Echo=3DNo
Database Search DD=3DRules
//Rules DD *
select (pallidotom and Dallas) in parkinsn
index
 
 You will notice that I didn't put an end on pallidotom since I don't=20
know if the word pallidotomy or pallidotomies was used in the message. I=20
capitalized Dallas since I am looking for the proper name. Just plain=20
dallas would work also but not capitalized DALLAS. Multiple qualifiers=20
are always enclosed with parenthesis.
 
Send the message.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. USING THE TOOLS TO SEARCH OTHER LISTSERV DATABASES
 
 Once you have mastered the techniques of searching the archives, you can=20
use the same tools to search other listserv archives on the internet that
maintain publicly accessible NOTEBOOKs.
 
How do I find them?
 
You can find locations of listservs in the List of Lists.
 
You can find out what other databases that are available at=20
UTORONTO.CA by sending a message to:
 
[log in to unmask]
 
In the body of the message put:
 
Database list
 
Within a few minutes (hours) the listserv will send you a list of
databases it maintains.
 
How do I find out if a particular database has a publicly accessible
archive.
 
Send a message to:
 
[log in to unmask] or whatever listserv@ that you are interested
in.
 
In the body of the message put for example.
 
rev parkinsn
 
At the top of the message you will see the part about:
 
  notebook=3D        yes,m,weekly,public
  review=3D          public
  send=3D            private
  subscription=3D    open
 
 The word "public" after notebook=3D means that you can use the tools to=20
search the archives, send messages to the list and it can send you back=20
the results of your searches.
 
 Some lists and archives maintained by the listserv aren't open to the
public and are just reserved for certain people or certain E-mail address
origins. If private is listed, subscription is required to perform the noted
function.
 
 Naturally, as I have said many times before, the address to send mail to=20
the list is different than the address to interact with the listserv.
 
 What happens if one of my messages to the list accidentally gets sent=20
to the listserv instead of to the list?
 
 The listserv tries 10 times to find a word used in your message that
resembles some command that it understands. Not finding that, it UNSERVES=20
your address.  In other words any further messages sent by you to either=20
PARKINSN or the listserv from your E-mail address are ignored and no=20
action is taken. The only way to redeem youself <g>, is for someone else
from another E-mail address to send a message to the listserv with the
words in the body of:
 
serve John Doe
 
 This will reauthorize your privileges on the listserv provided your=20
name is John Doe.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. FINDING CURRENT SUBSCRIBER ADDRESSES
 
The posters of the original messages you receive from the archives may=20
not be connected to the internet anymore or may have different E-Mail=20
addresses.
 
To find current addresses of posters send mail to:
 
[log in to unmask]
 
In the body of the message put:
 
rev parkinsn by name
 
Send the message.
 
You will receive names and current E-Mail addresses of all unconcealed=20
members with last names in alphabetical order.
 
Finding Addresses by country:
 
To find unconcealed subscribers names, sorted by country and alphabetized=20
by last name, send mail to:
 
[log in to unmask]
 
In the body of the message put:
 
rev parkinsn by country
 
Send the message.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
5. SENDING MAIL TO .BITNET ADDRESSES FROM THE INTERNET
 
Some addresses found in reviewing parkinsn look like parts of addresses.
 
Examples of the addresses follow:
 
HUTCHESO@DAYTON                          (Marcia Hutcheson)
MTARCARI@GALLUA                          (Teresa Arcari)
FACC019@SAUPM00                          Samir Abdul-Jauwad
 
Bitnet is a network, unto its' own, mainly connecting main frame=20
computers at institutions of higher learning around the world. Domain=20
names such as .edu and country codes are unnecessary because they are
all connected to the same network.
 
The rest of the world is connected to other networks so special addressing
is necessary to send e-mail to .bitnet addresses.
 
Special places exist that are called gateways. Gateways are connected=20
not only .bitnet but are connected to the internet community also.
 
Folks on the internet wishing to send mail to someone on .bitnet must
modify the address so that the internet message is sent to the gateway=20
first and once it is at the gateway, it is converted to a .bitnet=20
address.
 
HUTCHESO@DAYTON=20
 
becomes
 
[log in to unmask]
 
Likewise:
 
LISTSERV@UTORONTO
 
becomes
 
[log in to unmask]
 
 
IS THIS IMPORTANT TO ME?
 
Maybe. If you wish to correspond with someone that does not have=20
an extension on the end of the domain name, ie. .edu, add .bitnet to=20
that address and send it. If you get that back as undeliverable, try the
gateway method of addressing above.
 
On the otherhand, there are some other networks in the world that know
how to deliver mail addressed .bitnet. If you are able to get mail=20
delivered by appending .bitnet to the address, you are on one of those.
 
Messages received from the listserv have the .bitnet address in the=20
From: field=20
 
BITNET list server at UTORONTO (1.7f) <[log in to unmask]>
 
If you reply to that address, and your mail goes through, your network
understands .bitnet addressing.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. EXPLANATION OF THE MAIL OPTIONS FOR THE PARKINSN LIST
 
This section will explain the subscription options available. To check
what options you have in effect, send a message to:
 
[log in to unmask]
 
In the body of the message put TWO WORDS only:
 
query parkinsn
 
Send the message.
 
 
As an example, these are my options:
 
> query parkinsn
 
Distribution options for John Cottingham <[log in to unmask]>,
 list PARKINSN: Ack=3D No, Mail=3D Yes, Files=3D Yes,
 Repro=3D No, Header=3D Short(BSMTP), Conceal=3D No
 
The pertinent parts of your subscription that effect how and what mail=20
you receive from the list are the terms Mail=3D and Repro=3D.
 
Mail=3D Yes and Repro=3D No explained:
 
When you first subscribed to the parkinsn list, Mail=3D Yes and Repro=3D NO=
=20
are the defaults.
 
This means that every message sent to the list by others will be sent to
you as they are received by the list around the clock. Copies of messages=20
sent by you to the list will not appear in your mail. You will not see=20
your messages.
 
CHANGING MAIL OR REPRO OPTIONS:
 
Send a message to:
 
[log in to unmask]
 
The options for Mail are:
 
set parkinsn nomail       Stops parkinsn mail from being sent to your=20
                            mailbox until you send a set parkinsn mail=20
                            command to the listserv
set parkinsn mail         Sends messages individually or turns mail back ON
 
set parkinsn digest       Sends messages after midnight in one package
 
set parkinsn index        Sends INDEX #s, Subject: and From: of messages=20
                            sent to the list the previous day.
 
set parkinsn repro        Sends you a copy of messages you send to the list
 
set parkinsn mail         Cancels any other mail option
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mail=3D Index
 
An option exists for those who have limited abilities to receive the=20
quantities of mail normally found on the list. Mail=3D Index uses a special
file on the listserv that saves the Sender, Subject and Size of every
message sent to the list from 00:00 in the morning to midnight the same
day. After midnight, this index or list of messages is sent to subscribers
who have selected this option. Special instructions are posted to the
bottom of the Index on how to retrieve the messages of interest...These
are DIFFERENT from any other instructions on how to interact with the
listserv in this article. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR RETRIEVING MESSAGES,=20
ATTACHED TO THE INDEX WILL NOT WORK FOR 99% OF PARKINSN LIST MEMBERS.
MAKE NOTE OF THE NEW INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU WANT TO USE THIS OPTION.
 
Example of Daily Index:
 
From: Automatic digest processor <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:  PARKINSN Index - 3 Sep 1995 to 4 Sep 1995 - Unfinished
To: Recipients of PARKINSN indexes <[log in to unmask]>
X-UIDL: 810232611.000
X-status: R
 
Index Date  Size Poster and subject
----- ----  ---- ------------------
05103 09/03   65 From:    "RONALD J. KESSING" <[log in to unmask]>
                 Subject: Hello from new subscriber
 
05104 09/03   29 From:    Helen Ormsby <[log in to unmask]>
                 Subject: Re: double spamming
 
05105 09/04   39 From:    "Jeffrey R. Romanyshyn" <[log in to unmask]>
                 Subject: Re: double spamming
 
05106 09/04   24 From:    "Jeffrey R. Romanyshyn" <[log in to unmask]>
                 Subject: IV-Immune Globlumin Treatment (sp?)
 
05107 09/04    8 From:    Catherine Ryan <[log in to unmask]>
                 Subject: Re: Blue Glasses Tech Info
 
05108 09/04    8 From:    Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]>
                 Subject: Re: Blue Glasses Tech Info
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                       IMPORTANT NOTICE
 
DO NOT USE THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED WITH YOUR INDEX MESSAGE
 
CORRECTED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RETRIEVE INDEXED MESSAGES=20
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
>From the internet, in order to retrieve ALL or PART of the messages in=20
the index, use the following method.
 
Send a message to:
 
[log in to unmask]
 
In the body of the message put or paste the following:
 
//DBlook   JOB   Echo=3DNo
Database Search DD=3DRules
//Rules DD *
select * in parkinsn
print all (THIS IS WHERE YOU ENTER THOSE INDEX NUMBERS,
SEPARATED WITH A  SPACE, THAT WERE IN THE FIRST COLUMN OR A RANGE OF=20
NUMBERS, SEPARATED WITH -)
 
 
The example was 5103-5108 for all the messages or individual Index #s
if you only want some of them.
 
print all 5103-5108           To receive all the INDEX #s in that range
 
print all 5103 5108           To receive INDEX # 5103 and 5108
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. FINE TUNING YOUR SEARCH
 
The URL for Parkinsn "junkies" who can't wait for their digest or mail
to arrive in due course is:
 
gopher://vm.utcc.utoronto.ca:70/00/listserv/parkinsn/parkinsn.digest
 
The more facts that you know about what you are hunting for, the more=20
productive you will be.
 
If you know one fact but are unsure of two others use this example:
 
select (pallidotom AND (dallas OR houston)) in parkinsn
 
This will return the messages that have pallidotom and the messages that=20
have EITHER dallas OR houston in them.
 
If you look at the examples, we are just looking for words. In order
to look for concepts use the following example:
 
select ("blue glasses" AND "virtual reality") in parkinsn
 
Using quotes, looks for words, one after the other, in order. Using lower
case in your search terms will match any case. Using UPPER CASE will only
match UPPER CASE. Using Mixed Case will only return mixed case.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
8. USING DATES IN SEARCHES
 
These are all valid uses of DATES with the search statement:
 
select * in parkinsn since today
 
select * in parkinsn FROM 14 july TO 14 august
 
select * in parkinsn FROM 14/7/95 TO 14/8/95
 
select * in parkinsn SINCE today 11:30
 
 
Using the INDEX command after the select command will return about=20
1000 lines of listings.
 
Using the PRINT ALL statement with no ITEM #s listed after it will=20
return about 700 lines of messages.
 
THE PREVIOUS TWO STATEMENTS ARE LIMITING FACTORS. As a work-around,=20
fine tune your search terms to return only pertinent items.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. UNDERSTANDING THE PARKINSN GOPHER
 
The Gopher creates and maintains Notebook files. Two other files that it
maintains have functions that are similar to the listserv mail options.
 
How many weeks are there in a month?=20
 
Some months have 4 and others have 5 weeks.
parkinsn.log9509a is week 1 of September 1995. Week 2 ends with b etc..
 
What is a week?
 
A week starts Tuesday morning Toronto CA local time ending the following
Monday at midnight. A new Notebook is created for the week at midnight
Monday.
 
What is the parkinsn.digest?=20
 
This is the repository of daily messages from midnight to midnight for a=20
day. This is what the listserv sends after midnight to those who have set
parkinsn digest. At midnight these messages are added to the weekly log=20
file.
 
 
What is the file parkinsn.subjects?
 
This is the day's index of messages received at the parkinsn list. After
midnight, this list of message headers is sent to those who have set
parkinsn index.=20
 
This is an example of looking at that file with gopher. The index #
field has not been selected to be shown.
 
Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network <PARKINSN@UTORONTO
Fwd: Norflurazon; Pesticide Tolerance=8509/05 302 Wendy Tebay <RosaBosa
..
 
The dot at the end is a placeholder in the file.
 
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
10. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN "TOOLS", LISTSERV COMMANDS AND GOPHER
 
 Why are these tools better than using Gopher or the listserv Get command?
 
 The analogy of using these tools vs. the Get command or Gopher is the=20
file cabinet.
 
 The weekly notebooks that you see and browse with Gopher are just that,=20
file cabinets full of messages. Your choice with Gopher is browse or=20
download the file cabinet for later searching. Chances are, the one you=20
download won't have what you are looking for.
 
 The listserv assigns each message a unique number, the ITEM# that
you use with the tools we have described. Using the search tools, you can=20
have the listserv search all the file cabinets for exactly what you want in
a few minutes without wasting on-line time. You get answers to specific=20
questions, fast.
 
 What about using the GET command to retrieve notebooks? With that command
you are ordering the file cabinet, again like gopher.
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This message is revised monthly, be sure to print it and discard=20
earlier editions.
 
11. PROBLEMS? COMMON ERRORS
 
Help for using these 'Tools' is available by e-mail, generally within=20
an hour or so. The new address for help is [log in to unmask] =20
 
To receive help, forward the complete message that you sent to the=20
listserv and also the error message you received.=20
 
DON'T INCLUDE MY ADDRESS ON THE CC: LINE OF YOUR MESSAGES TO THE LISTSERV,
my mailbox is full enough. Only ask for help if you have a problem.=
 Generally
the first question I will ask is if you have printed the instructions. We
are all volunteers here and most times, the problems can be determined by=20
reading the instructions, again and again. If the body of the message that
you send to the listserv doesn't look like this, it will be sent back to you
with an error message.
 
//DBlook   JOB   Echo=3DNo
Database Search DD=3DRules
//Rules DD *
select blue glasses in parkinsn
index
 
Syntax as well as word spacing is critical so I advise that you=20
use the Copy and Paste function to place the search engine into the=20
body of your message to the listserv and then change the search=20
parameters to suit your situation. If you are using a Mac, send the=20
message to yourself, the first time, and examine the search engine. If=20
after the =3D sign there is the number 20, your text processor is=20
inserting something extraneous in the message that the listserv=20
will not interpret correctly. In that case, use the copy and paste=20
functions only in creating the body of your message.
 
Other listserv help is available on #Parkinsons chat channel on the=20
Undernet from 8:30 PM to 10 PM Central standard time.
 
John Cottingham    "The parkinsn list brings Knowledge, Comfort, Hope, and=
=20
                    Friendship to the parkinsonian world."
                    Parkinson's Chat on the Undernet 8:30 PM CST -6 Daily.
                    If you access the Internet through a provider with a
[log in to unmask]     PPP/SLIP account, free IRC chat software is available.=
 WFD