An automatic
mailing list server developed by Eric Thomas for
BITNET in 1986. When
e-mail is addressed to a LISTSERV
mailing list, it is automatically
broadcast to everyone on the list. The result is similar to a
newsgroup or
forum, except that the messages are transmitted as e-mail and are therefore available only to individuals on the list.
LISTSERV is currently a commercial product marketed by L-Soft International. Although LISTSERV refers to a specific mailing list server, the term is sometimes used incorrectly to refer to any mailing list server. Another popular mailing list server is Majordomo, which is freeware.