The original LIST command took no arguments in RFC977 and
    returned the contents of the active file in a specific
    format. Since the original newsreaders made use of other
    information available in the news transport software in
    addition to the active file, extensions to the LIST command
    were created to make that information available to NNTP
    newsreaders. There may be other extensions to the LIST command
    that simply return the contents of a file. This approach is
    suggested over the addition of over verbs. For example, LIST
    MOTD could be used instead of adding XMOTD.