LISTSERV 1.8b

Section-Update: 20 Nov 94

LISTSERV, once referred to by many as "BITNET LISTSERV" to distinguish it from Unix- and Internet-based MLM's, is now primarily Internet-based, and increasingly often it runs on Unix, VMS, and Windows systems rather than the IBM mainframes it was developed on. As of version 1.8, it's also a commercial product--sold by L-Soft International, a company started by its author Eric Thomas <ERIC@LSOFT.COM>. For years it has defined the high end of MLM's; while its competition is increasingly good, LISTSERV is still the most feature-rich of the MLM's, and it is also one of the easiest to configure remotely.

Note again that LISTSERV and ListProc are two entirely different systems; in fact they compete viciously :-). However, ListProc prior to version 6.0c was confusingly called "Unix Listserv." So, if you have "Listserv" running on your Unix system, but it has a version number 2 or greater, it's really ListProc--read the ListProc section of this document. LISTSERV 1.8b introduced a spam control function, in which participating servers exchange information on potential spams and automatically take action to limit their spread. I will cover this more in a future version of the FAQ.

Unusual features

Features for users

Features for administrators

Mailing lists and other information resources

To find out the basics about using LISTSERV, write "HELP" in the body of a message to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.NET. To get more in-depth information, send it the command "INFO" for a listing of informational files, and then "GET" the files that sound interesting to you. Release notes for the past few years' worth of LISTSERV can be retrieved from LISTSERV@searn.sunet.se by sending it "GET LINFO FILELIST" in the body of a message ("LINFO" being L-Soft Info). To discuss LISTSERV with sysadmins, subscribe to LSTSRV-L by writing "sub LSTSRV-L Your Name" in the body of a message to LISTSERV@uga.cc.uga.edu. You may also be interested in LSTOWN-L, for owners of LISTSERV lists -- discussion here will give you a feel for what it's like to remotely administer a LISTSERV list. Subscribe by writing "sub LSTOWN-L Your Name" to LISTSERV@searn.sunet.se. You can browse through back issues of either of these lists at gopher://searn.sunet.se/. (Note: LISTSERV systems participate in a global directory of lists, so commands and postings for these lists and all other public LISTSERV lists can also be sent to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.NET, for commands, or listname@LISTSERV.NET, for postings. This shortcut doesn't apply to getting files, though, because file names don't imply a server site.)

System requirements

Versions of LISTSERV run on VM/CMS, VMS, Windows 95, and Windows NT, as well as these flavors of Unix: AIX, BSDi, HP-UX, Irix, Linux, OSF/1, Solaris, SunOS, and Ultrix. Functionality is identical across platforms except for the VM/CMS version, which currently has some features the others don't (notably database searching and a more advanced file server).

Cost and licensing

How to get it

The most current build of LISTSERV for all supported platforms is kept at ftp://ftp.lsoft.com/listserv/. The package you install from the files you find there will include an evaluation "LAK," or license activation key. The resulting server is fully functional except that it supports a limited number of lists and subscribers, and it includes an advertising message in all outgoing mail. If you license LISTSERV, L-Soft will send a new key to increase the server's capacity and eliminate the message. For sales information, send mail to SALES@LSOFT.COM.