Listserv
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 listserv◊ucsd.edu,
listserver◊nysernet.org. Some listservs provide other
facilities such as retrieving files from {archive}s 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)