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.
