RFC 2919 (rfc2919) - Page 1 of 9
List-Id: A Structured Field and Namespace for the Identification of Mailing Lists
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group R. Chandhok
Request for Comments: 2919 G. Wenger
Category: Standards Track QUALCOMM, Inc.
March 2001
List-Id:
A Structured Field and Namespace for the
Identification of Mailing Lists
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2001). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
Software that handles electronic mailing list messages (servers and
user agents) needs a way to reliably identify messages that belong to
a particular mailing list. With the advent of list management
headers, it has become even more important to provide a unique
identifier for a mailing list regardless of the particular host that
serves as the list processor at any given time.
The List-Id header provides a standard location for such an
identifier. In addition, a namespace for list identifiers based on
fully qualified domain names is described. This namespace is
intended to guarantee uniqueness for list owners who require it,
while allowing for a less rigorous namespace for experimental and
personal use.
By including the List-Id field, list servers can make it easier for
mail clients to provide automated tools for users to perform list
functions. The list identifier can serve as a key to make many
automated processing tasks easier, and hence more widely available.
1. Introduction
Internet mailing lists have evolved into fairly sophisticated forums
for group communication and collaboration; however, corresponding
changes in the underlying infrastructure have lagged behind. Recent
Chandhok & Wenger Standards Track
