Listserv

messaging An automatic mailing list server, initially

written to run under IBM's VM operating system by Eric

Thomas.

Listserv is a user name on some computers on BITNET/EARN

which processes electronic mail requests for addition to or

deletion from mailing lists. Examples are [email protected],

[email protected].

Some listservs provide other facilities such as retrieving

files from archives and database search. Full details of

available services can usually be obtained by sending a

message with the word HELP in the subject and body to the

listserv address.

Eric Thomas, has recently formed an international corporation,

L-Soft, and has ported Listserv to a number of other

platforms including Unix. Listserv has simultaneously

been enhanced to use both the Internet and BITNET.

Two other major mailing list processors, both of which run

under Unix, are Majordomo, a freeware system, and

Listproc, currently owned and developed by BITNET.

(1995-02-22)