Introduction to the Debian mailing lists
                  ========================================

  Most of the the conversation between Debian developers and users is
  managed through several mailing lists.  Debian GNU/Linux is
  developed through distributed development all around the world.
  Therefore email is the preferred way to discuss various items.

  There are several world-open mailing lists while there are also some
  lists which are only open to active developers.  Please don't
  interpret this as closed development, everyone is encouraged to help
  development of debian and to spread the word of free software.
  On the other hand it doesn't make much sense discussing internal
  topics with non-developers.

  All original Debian mailing lists run on a special server with a
  mail transport agent that is optimized for lists.  This host is
  called lists.debian.org.  All submission, subscription and
  unsubscription messages have to go to this host.

  The language used on all lists is English unless stated otherwise.
  There are some user lists for other languages available.

Subscription / Unsubscription
-----------------------------

  Our lists are served by Smartlist.  This results in a comfortable
  way to manage them.  If the subscription policy for a
  particular list is `open' anyone is able to subscribe/unsubscribe
  on their own.

  *NO* subscription or unsubscription messages should be sent to the
  lists address, but to a special control address which is
  slightly different from the lists address.  To subscribe or
  unsubscribe to such a list, please send mail to

  <listname>-REQUEST@lists.debian.org

  with the word `subscribe' or `unsubscribe' as subject.

  Please remember the -REQUEST inside of the name.

  If you need to contact a human listmaster, direct your mail to
  listmaster@debian.org or listmaster@va.debian.org .  These are two
  different machines in case one is offline.  To find out who
  is responsible for the lists, take a look at
  http://www.debian.org/devel/maintainer_contacts.html .

User lists

  There are several user based mailing lists where developers and
  users can get in contact to discuss and solve problems. 

  debian-user@lists.debian.org

      Description : This is the main mailing list for all users and
                    developers of Debian GNU/Linux systems.  Many
                    developers also follow the threads and step in
                    to help every now and then.
      Digest      : debian-user-digest@lists.debian.org
      Moderated   : no
      Subscription: open

  debian-isp@lists.debian.org

      Description : This list discusses issues and problems specific to
                    Internet Service Providers (ISP for short).
      Moderated   : no
      Subscription: open

  debian-mirrors@lists.debian.org

      Description : Important changes of the ftp archive are announced
                    here to give archive maintainers a chance to take
                    care of their archives.
      Moderated   : yes
      Subscription: open

  debian-laptop@lists.debian.org

      Description : This list discuss installing, updating and using laptops
                    under Debian. Suggestions on special packaging, compliants,
                    etc. are welcome.
      Moderated   : no
      Subscription: open

  debian-boot@lists.debian.org

      Description : Creating and modifying of the boot floppies is the subject
                    of this list.
      Moderated   : no
      Subscription: open

  debian-curiosa@lists.debian.org

      Description : This is a pool for funny stuff aroundDebian. These can be prunes, IRC-Logs, and other
                    words with strange or different meanings. Some kind
                    of (de.)alt.netdigest for debian-related stuff.
      Moderated   : no
      Subscription: open

  debian-announce@lists.debian.org

      Description : News and important changes in the project are announced
                    here.
      Moderated   : yes
      Subscription: open

  debian