On Sun, 23 Nov 1997 17:24:43 -0500 Philo said:
>Why does Listserv require first and last names?

Starting with 1.8c it doesn't:

**************************************************
* Usability: Support for anonymous subscriptions *
**************************************************

The SUBSCRIBE command has been enhanced to support the following syntax:

                      SUBSCRIBE listname ANONYMOUS

(as usual, the command is not case sensitive)

This indicates that  the subscriber wishes to join  the list anonymously,
ie  without  specifying  a  name.  The  CONCEAL  subscription  option  is
automatically  set,   granting  the  subscriber  the   maximal  level  of
protection available.

An existing  subscription can  be made anonymous  by sending  a SUBSCRIBE
listname ANONYMOUS command. This will both  delete the name from the list
and set  the CONCEAL option.  An anonymous  subscription can be  made non
anonymous by  sending a  SET listname NOCONCEAL  command and  a SUBSCRIBE
command with the desired name.

In  addition,  when  a  list operates  with  "Default-Options=  CONCEAL",
LISTSERV no  longer requires  or expects  a name to  be specified  on the
SUBSCRIBE command. If  a name is provided, it is  accepted and entered in
the list file, as before. If, however, no name was supplied either on the
SUBSCRIBE  command  or   in  the  mail  headers,   LISTSERV  accepts  the
subscription  (instead of  replying with  a description  of the  expected
syntax) and makes it anonymous.