Quick Links

Address for Posts:
xl-list@sportster.org

Addresses for Mailing List Commands:
xl-list-request (For List Mode)
xl-digest-request (For Digest Mode)

Administrative Commands:
Subscribe
Unsubscribe

Other Commands:
View the Latest List Messages in Real Time
Browse List Archives in HyperText Format
Search XL-LIST's Archives

Related Pages:
XL-List Member Memorial Page
XL-List Un-Plugged: Local groups of XL-Listers

The Sportster Mailing List

1. What is the XL-List?
2. How can I participate in the XL-List?
   1. List Mode
   2. Digest Mode
   3. Web Mode
3. How do I subscribe or unsubscribe?
   1. List Mode
   2. Digest Mode
   3. Web Mode
4. How can I change my address?
5. Can I suspend my list subscription?
6. How do I switch formats?
7. Are the messages archived?
8. What can I post?
9. Why was my message returned?
10. Any other guidelines I should know?
    1. How do I quote a message when I reply to the XL-list?
    2. What is a signature?
    3. How about some acronyms?
11. Help, I'm not receiving the XL-List!
12. Where can I get help?
13. Privacy Information

1. What is the XL-List?

        The XL-List is an Internet based discussion forum dedicated to the Harley Davidson Sportster enthusiast.  It deals with the Sportster's technical issues, performance, comfort, and lifestyle.

2. How can I participate in the XL-List?

        To post your question or comment to the XL-List, just send an email message to xl-list@sportster.org.  It is that easy.  Please note: due to SPAM control issues, you must be subscribed in order to post (see "How do I subscribe" below).  Anything you send to this address will be 1.) sent to all those subscribed to the list, 2.) digested for all those subscribed to the digest, 3.) placed on the web page for those who read the list from there, 4.) archived forever.

        That's right, there are three ways to "receive" the XL-List.

1. List Mode: Receive each message individually at the email address of your choice, this is referred to as "list" mode.  Each message posted is sent to your email address in real time.  This format retains much of the feel of the Usenet newsgroups.  Be warned though, during heavy list usage, you may end up with over 100 emails a day.
2. Digest Mode: All messages posted to the XL-List are compiled into a single large email message and it is delivered to the email address of your choice.  This occurs twice a day at 6:00AM ET and 4:00PM ET. Therefore, no matter how many messages are posted during a single day, you only receive two messages per day.
3. Web (Post-Only) Mode: The latest (100) messages can be found and read on the XL-List Home Page in Hypertext format.  You do not need to register or subscribe to anything in order to read these messages, but will need to subscribe in post-only mode if you wish to post messages.  Since this is an email based forum, there is not a form on the web page to post your message, simply use a normal email reader and send a message to the above address.  Any message posted will appear here, regardless of whether the poster is subscribed to the list, digest, or simply reads messages from the web page.  After the message is pushed from the latest (100) it can be found in the list archives, sorted by Volume (year) and Digest.  While viewing the Hypertext format of the list, you may sort the messages by Thread, Date or, Author.  The message listing for the most recent messages will automatically refresh every 3 minutes. 
   You may find a few useful links while viewing an individual message from the web page:
   1. Clicking on the name/address following the From:, will launch your email application and send a message to the author of the message with the subject listed.
   2. Clicking on the subject following the Subject:, will launch your email application and send a message to the XL-List with the subject listed.

3. How do I subscribe or unsubscribe?

        Subscribing and unsubscribing is nearly as easy as it is to post a message.  You may use the form found on the XL-List Home Page to complete your request or you may send an email to the appropriate request address.  Administrative requests are generally handled automatically, meaning, a human rarely reads the message or takes any action.  After the initial request, you will receive a confirmation message from the list manager (again, not a human, but the software which manages the list).  It will contain appropriate instructions to complete your request.  This is in place to help prevent others from (un)subscribing you to/from the list.  Again, if you wish to only read the messages from the web page, you do not need to subscribe.

1. List Mode: to receive the XL-List in list mode either 1.) enter your email address into the web form found on the XL-List Home Page, select the list format radio button and click submit or 2.) send a new email message to xl-list-request@sportster.org with a subject of subscribe (The list manager will use the email address from your message header.)  Likewise, to unsubscribe from the XL-List when receiving it in List mode, either 1.) enter your email address into the web form found on the XL-List Home Page, select the list format radio button and click submit or 2.) send a new email message to xl-list-request@sportster.org with a subject of unsubscribe (The list manager will use the email address from your message header.)   Remember, it will be necessary to confirm your request.
2. Digest Mode: to receive the XL-List in digest mode either 1.) enter your email address into the web form found on the XL-List Home Page, select the digest format radio button and click submit or 2.) send a new email message to xl-digest-request@sportster.org with a subject of subscribe (The list manager will use the email address from your message header.)  Likewise, to unsubscribe from the XL-List when receiving it in digest mode, either 1.) enter your email address into the web form found on the XL-List Home Page, select the digest format radio button and click submit or 2.) send a new email message to xl-digest-request@sportster.org with a subject of unsubscribe (The list manager will use the email address from your message header.)  Remember, it will be necessary to confirm your request.
3. Web (Post-Only) Mode: if you only want to read the messages on the web page, nothing is required. Web archives of the XL-List are available to the public.  If you wish to post to the list without receiving messages delivered to you email inbox, you will need to subscribe in post-only mode.  To do this either 1.) enter your email address into the web form found on the XL-List Home Page, select the post-only format radio button and click submit or 2.) send a new email message to xl-accept-request@sportster.org with a subject of subscribe (The list manager will use the email address from your message header.)  Likewise, to unsubscribe from the XL-List when subscribed in post-only mode, either 1.) enter your email address into the web form found on the XL-List Home Page, select the post-only format radio button and click submit or 2.) send a new email message to xl-accept-request@sportster.org with a subject of unsubscribe (The list manager will use the email address from your message header.)  Remember, it will be necessary to confirm your request.

4. How can I change my address?

        All you need to do in order to change the email address at which you receive the XL-List is to unsubscribe the old address and subscribe the new one.  See How do I subscribe or unsubscribe? for instructions.

5. Can I suspend my list subscription?

        No.  If you wish to temporarily suspend your subscription to the XL-List, you will need to unsubscribe and then subscribe when you return.  See How do I subscribe or unsubscribe? for instructions.  No need to worry about losing your place or seniority here as is present on some mailing lists.

6. How do I switch formats?

        If you wish to switch from the list format to the digest format (or vice-versa), you will need to unsubscribe from the list format and subscribe to the digest format.  See How do I subscribe or unsubscribe? for instructions.

7. Are the messages archived?

        Yes, all messages sent to the XL-List are archived forever (except under exceptional circumstances).  In fact, at any time you may search or browse these archives from the XL-List Home Page.  You may also request back issues of the XL-List digest by sending a new email message to xl-digest-request@sportster.org with a subject of archive and the instructions get volume99/100 in the body, where volume99 is the volume from 1999 and 100 is digest number 100 (of course, just replace these with the volume and digest you wish to receive).  The digest will be sent to the email address found in the message header.

8. What can I post?

        You may post messages to the XL-List that contain any information or questions that are related to the Harley Davidson Sportster or Buell: technical, comfort, clothing, events, lifestyle, etc. The key here is it has to relate to the Sportster.  One quick note: there are two things you should always check before sending a message to the list. 1.) Check your service manual. 2.) Scan or search through the list archives, it is likely that some of the information you are looking for will be found there.

        Do not post internet virus scares, dirty jokes, political propaganda, test messages, "one-liners", binary attachments, flames, etc.  You may post for-sale ads as long as they are not commercially motivated, this is NOT a commercial advertisement media.  As a general rule, if you think it might be inappropriate, then it probably is. Please use your good judgment.

        The list owner reserves the right to block anyone from receiving and/or posting to the XL-List at any time and for any reason he feels deserving.  This forum was created to facilitate effective sharing of information about one thing, the Harley-Davidson Sportster.  Any effort to hinder the effectiveness through personal attacks or racial, cultural, sexual, or religious bashing will not be tolerated.  Please learn to how to effectively use your email.  This may require a bit more work on your behalf, but the rewards for the XL-List community can be great.  Things such as subject headers that relate to the body text, effective use of quoting, and keeping the discussion relevant will benefit all involved.

9. Why was my message returned?

        If you attempt to post a message to the XL-List and it is returned to you without being posted, it will contain an error message, along with your original text, explaining the reason.  These filters are in place to help the XL-List community and prevent spam from reaching the list.  It was not thought of as a way to inconvenience users.  If you are having trouble complying with one of these, contact the xl-list-owner at xl-list-owner@sportster.org.  Reasons include:

• You are missing or have entered an invalid subject (ex. don't use Re: Digest#123).
• You have quoted too much text (don't quote an entire digest), see 10.a below for more information.
• Your message is too long (currently, there is a 100 line limit placed on postings).
• You message is HTML formatted (please set your mailer to send messages in plain text only).  See http://www.expita.com/nomime.html for reasons why this is bad and how to fix your email client.
• You have sent a file attachment (the list filters have found your message to be a MIME multipart message).  See http://www.expita.com/nomime.html for reasons why this is bad and how to fix your email client.
• You included message headers (no need to include message headers from a previous message)
• You requested receipt confirmation (please do not request confirmation of delivery or reading of your message, you may get over 2000 responses)
• You have sent a test message (please do not send test messages to the list).  If you follow all instruction, it will work.
• You have exceeded you posting quota (presently, you may post three messages per digest period).

10. Anything else I should know?

        Here are a few other things that may be helpful when participating in the XL-List:

1. How do I quote a message when I reply to the XL-list?
   
   When replying to a list message, it is sometimes a good idea to include just a small part of the previous post in order to convey the idea or the gist of the message. It is unnecessary to include the entire message. If the material is important enough to include then quote it in such a way to make it easy to read (not just tacked to the end).
   For example: (From: Jon Hose <hose@pacific.net>)
   ---
   > I have found a small chunk of what appears to be a spring on the magnetic primary plug...
   
   Sounds like a bit of stripped thread. Isn't it nice to have a magnetic plug to catch it?
   ---
   Make sure the quoted text is distinguished somehow. (The ">" is an Internet standard, but your mailer may be different. If your mailer does not add quoted text identifiers, please do it by hand.) Please do not include the mail header information, this is just confusing to read and is generally useless.

    

2. What is a signature?
   
   A lot of people use a signature file at the end of their e-mail messages. People have taken a great deal of time to invent cute signatures that are only cute to the person that created it. Most signatures should only include important information; name, e-mail address, home page, state, and possibly what bike you ride (for this particular forum, you may wish to have multiple signatures). We do not need your pager number, or your shoe size, etc. Generally, try to keep your signature at or under 4 or 5 lines. Here are examples of good signatures:
   
   Chris Hajer (88 XL 1200 conversion, Berwyn, IL)
   -or-
   Nantz
   96 XL 1200 C
   Apache Junction, AZ
   Nantzaz@futureone.com

    

3. How about some acronyms?
   
   AFAIK - "As Far As I Know"
   AFK - "Away From Keyboard"
   AKA - "Also Known As"
   ASAP - "As Soon As Possible"
   BAK - "Back At Keyboard"
   BRB - "Be Right Back"
   BDC - "Brain Dead Cager"
   BTW - "By The Way"
   BTM - "Buy The Manual"
   DILLIGAF - "Do I Look Like I Give A F___"
   FAQ - "Frequently asked questions"
   FUBAR - "F'd Up Beyond All Recognition"
   FWIW - "For What It's Worth"
   FYI - "For Your Information"
   GD&R - "Grinning, Ducking and Running" (After snide remark)
   GMTA - "Great Minds Think Alike"
   IANAL - "I Am Not A Lawyer (But...)"
   IDK - "I don't know"
   IMHO: "In My Humble/Honest Opinion"
   IMO - "In My Opinion"
   IYKWIM - "If You Know What I Mean"
   IYKWIMAITYD - "If You Know What I Mean And I Think You Do"
   JOIBOI - "Just One Ignorant B______d's Opinion"
   LOL - "Laughing Out Loud"
   OTOH - "On The Other Hand"
   PITA - "Pain In The A__"
   PMFJI - "Pardon Me For Jumping In"
   PS - "Post Script"
   ROTFL - "Rolling On The Floor Laughing"
   ROTFLMAO - "Rolling On The Floor Laughing My A__ Off"
   RSI - "Repetitive Strain Injury"
   RTFM - "Read The F'N Manual
   RUB - "Rich Urban Biker"
   SOHF - "Sense Of Humor Failure"
   SWALK - "Sealed With A Loving Kiss"
   TDC - "Top Dead Center"
   TIA - "Thanks In Advance"
   TPTB - "The Powers That Be"
   TTFN - "Ta Ta For Now"
   UJM - "Universal Japanese Motorcycle"
   WB - "Welcome Back"
   WOT - "Wide Open Throttle"
   WRT - "With Respect To"
   WTF - "What The F___"
   WTG - "Way To Go"
   WYSIWYG - "What You See Is What You Get"
   YMMV - "Your Mileage May Vary"
   YWIA - "Your Welcome In Advance"

11. Help, I'm not receiving the XL-List!

        If you have suddenly stopped receiving the XL-List there are several possible reasons.  Did you just subscribe and have yet to receive the list?  Perhaps you have not confirmed your request.  Check that you do not have a spam filter set that may be preventing you from receiving the list (the Precedence of the XL-List is "list").  You may have been unsubscribed due to your address generating too many bounced messages.  It could be due to a temporary error such as you mailbox being full or your ISP went down.  If this is the case, just subscribe again and see if the problem goes away.  See How do I subscribe or unsubscribe? for instructions.  If you continue to have trouble receiving the list, contact the xl-list-owner at xl-list-owner@sportster.org.

12. Where can I get help?

        If this FAQ has not answered your questions, try contacting the xl-list-owner at xl-list-owner@sportster.org.  Want to find the latest version of this document?  Visit the XL-List Home Page at http://www.sportster.org/xl-list/.

13. Privacy Information

       Your email address will be used solely for the purpose of the mailing list described above. The address list will not be shared/given/sold to any other party.

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