foulgerinnovations

-Listservs

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LISTSERV

WHAT IS A LISTSERV?

A listserv is an electronic mailing list of people who communicate about their common interests through Internet email. When you subscribe to a listserv your email address is added to that mailing list, and you receive every message that is sent to the mailing list. Likewise, messages you send to the listserv will go to everyone on that list. It is an e-mail routing list and listserv software manages the subscription list of those who want to be part of a listserv. When anyone sends a message to the listserv, the software sees that a copy is routed to all the members of the listserv. Listservs are for personal/professional support and updating of a certain topic. It is similar to that of a forum, but only members of the listserv can view the discussion board.

HISTORY

Listservs are the first electronic mailing list software application. Before its invention all email list had to be administered manually. Listserv was originally developed in 1986 by Eric Thomas for the BITNET computer network. Previously before Thomas, Daniel Oberst and Ricky Hernandez created an automated emailing list. It was an early version of the Listservs we're familiar with today. It quickly had become a key service on that network. Later it was ported to a variety of platforms and taken up by the internet community. Some updates for Listserv's included a human administer to help add and remove people, and spam protection. By the year 2000 Listserv had sustained more than 30 million users by transmitting more than 20 million messages per day.

The word listserv is now often used as generalized trademark, referring to any email based mailing list application of that kind. However; L-Soft International, Inc. has a registered trademark for the term and argues that it not legal to use the term commercially, except in reference to the L-Soft product. The standard generic terms are electronic mailing list or email list.

BENEFITS OF LISTSERVS

Listservs allows the user to discuss issues of interest, share ideas with the population, and more available resources in an instantaneous moment. For educators more lesson plans, discussion topics, methods, unique field experience ideas and solutions are available at a whim. Other areas of discussion include; political, economical, special interests, hobbies, other professionals, clubs, companies, etc.

SECURITY

Listservs relies heavily on the security of the host system. Listservs is very effective at combating spam, a frequent problem with shared mailing lists. Since Listserv servers communicate with each other, when one server detects a spam file it notifies all the other servers so that all the servers can cut off all the unwanted messages.

HOW TO SIGN UP

Joining or subscribing to a Listserv is simple. Usually it is as easy as filling in an email address and clicking the word subscribe. After subscribing you usually receive a confirmation email from the Listserv. As soon as you confirm your subscription, you will start receiving messages. Listservs usually offer the subscriber to unscribe in the same manner. One of the best free Listservs is Yahoo Groups. It is simple to join, all that is required is to enter a valid yahoo email address. Then browse the sections for what interest you, and finally subscribe.

HOW TO CREATE A LISTSERV

As we have already mention Yahoo is one of the best free Listserv on the internet. Always remember to browse the topics that are given as the topic you wish to discuss may already be in existance. Next, if nothing fits what would be desired a few steps are taken to narrow down your subject. For example say you wanted a specific professional football team you wanted to discuss. You would click on sports and recreation, then sports, choose the type of sport, what type of football, teams, and then finally choose the team. Once you are desired in your sub-group so others can find you. You begin creating a base page. Here you can edit messages, files, photos, links, create polls, and even add a calender. This gives members of the group various access points and different types of activites to participate in. An example of this is my own basic Listserv named BroncoBlood in honor of the Denver Broncos.

TIPS FOR LISTSERVS

Stay on topic & know what's been discussed
Consider the source of the message
Don't quote without permission
Don't use if you need information by a deadline
Identify yourself
Be generous (if you've been helped, help others)
Don’t Shout (shouting is in all caps)
Re-read before you post
Beware of the overflowing e-mail box
Pick your group carefully
Don't advertise
If it's personal, send it directly to the person
Ask for help if you need it, not just because you're lazy

EDITIONS OF LISTSERVS

Listserv is available in several variants. The standard version of listserv is sometimes referred to as Listserv Classic. A version with a reduced feature set and reduced performance is available called Listserv Lite and a free variance of this for non-commercial use is called Listserv Free Edition. Additional variance include Listserv HPO (high performance option), and Listserv Maestro (for customized and targeted email publishing and reporting).

SEE ALSO