>Introduction to Listserv(tm) mailing lists
 
LISTSERV(TM)
 
>1.  What is a Listserv?
 
What is LISTSERV?
 
>2. Who can use a Listserv?
 
Who can use LISTSERV?
 
>Almost anyone can access a Listserv. Some listservs, due to nature of
 
Almost anyone can access mailing lists. Some mailing lists, ...
 
>3. How can I find a Listserv(tm) mailing list that interests me?
>
>You can search for a list on  a specific topic (a MUCH easier and faster
>way than getting the entire list of all Listserv lists!), by sending
>
>    LIST GLOBAL DOG
>to
>    [log in to unmask]
 
You can also search the LISTSERV list reference online at:
 
                    http://www.lsoft.com/listref.html
 
>5. Wait a second!  If I only give  the Listserv my first  and last name,
>   how does the Listserv know where to find me to deliver my mail?!
 
If I only give LISTSERV ... how does LISTSERV know ...
 
>Many Listserv(tm)  computers maintain a  file database along  with them.
>These are often referred to as FileServs.
 
Uh? :-)
 
Let me quote from the legalese that comes with our trademark licenses:
 
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5. ALWAYS USE OUR MARKS IN PROPER CONTEXT AND FORM
 
Trademarks identify a company's products or services. Grammatically, they
are proper adjectives, used to qualify a generic name such as "software",
"product" or "mail  transfer agent". Our Marks should never  be used as a
noun, or in plural form. Here are a few examples:
 
RIGHT: A LISTSERV mailing list
       A LISTSERV server
       We have several LISTSERV servers in our department
 
WRONG: A LISTSERV
       A LISTSERVer
       We have several LISTSERVs in our department
 
In headlines,  the use  of unqualified *product*  Marks is  tolerated, to
save  space, provided  that the  implied meaning  is "product",  and that
there is no  possible doubt about this. For instance,  you may print "XYZ
Assist  for LISTSERV",  meaning "XYZ  Assist  for use  with the  LISTSERV
product". You may  not print "Manage your LISTSERVs  with XYZ!", however,
because the implied meaning is either "server" or "list".
 
Our Marks  should not be abbreviated  or extended. You must  always state
our  Marks  exactly  as  they  are  written  on  your  trademark  license
certificate. In  practice, this is  only a problem with  LISTSERV. Always
write it exactly as LISTSERV - not LSV or LISTSERVE or LISTSERVER.
 
Our Marks may never be incorporated in company names, whether a corporate
name, partnership or d/b/a. Thus, you may not call your company "LISTSERV
Consulting".
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  Eric