Version 1.8c  of LISTSERV is  being released. The  following instructions
describe the  procedure that the  LISTSERV maintainer needs to  follow to
UPGRADE from version 1.8a or 1.8b to this new version. These instructions
will NOT work for a new installation; refer to the installation guide for
first-time installation instructions.

BITNET  sites running  the VM  version  of LISTSERV-NJE  will receive  an
upgrade  shipment in  the usual  fashion  and should  ignore the  present
message.

1. L-Soft  recommends reading  the release  notes (posted  under separate
   cover) before proceeding with the upgrade.

2. It is  IMPERATIVE that you install a License  Activation Key (LAK) for
   version 1.8c before  installing the new version of  the software. Your
   1.8c license key will work with older versions of the product, but you
   will not  be able  to start  the new version  unless your  license key
   reads 1.8c  (you can verify  that you have  the proper license  key by
   sending a SHOW LICENSE command to LISTSERV and checking the "Version:"
   field).  Please   contact  your  sales  representative   or  write  to
   [log in to unmask] if you did not receive your new license key.

*************************************************************************
* DO NOT PROCEED ANY FURTHER UNTIL YOU HAVE INSTALLED YOUR LICENSE KEY! *
*************************************************************************

3. Connect  to FTP.LSOFT.COM via anonymous  FTP, CD LISTSERV, then  go to
   the  subdirectory  that  corresponds  to  your  operating  system  and
   download the  installation kit that matches  your vendor/architecture,
   as if you were planning to re-install LISTSERV from scratch. Customers
   running unix  should make sure  to download both common.tar.Z  and the
   system-specific tar file. VM customers  should download UPD18C HEX and
   HEXOUT EXEC in ASCII mode (but not LISTSERV HEX).

4. L-Soft  recommends making a  backup of your entire  LISTSERV directory
   tree before updating the code.

5. Operating system specific steps:

   - Windows NT and Windows 95: stop LISTSERV and the SMTP listener, then
     run SETUP.EXE, specifying  the directory in which  you had initially
     installed LISTSERV.  The product  will be upgraded  while preserving
     your configuration data.

   - unix: the  upgrade is  similar to a  first-time installation  to the
     directory in which you originally  installed the product. Type 'make
     update' instead of 'make install' after tailoring the makefile.

   - VMS: stop LISTSERV, then run VMSINSTAL  on the new kit. The kit will
     automatically update your previous installation.

   - VM: type  'HEXOUT UPD18C  HEX' to decode  the update  shipment. This
     creates a  card deck called HEXOUT  OUTPUT. Spool your punch  to the
     userid  of the  LISTSERV virtual  machine, then  type 'PUNCH  HEXOUT
     OUTPUT (NOH'  to submit  the update  job. LISTSERV  will ask  you to
     confirm the  installation. Simply follow the  instructions until you
     receive a message saying that the upgrade is complete.

Contact L-Soft technical  support if you have any  question regarding the
upgrade procedure. Please note that technical support is unable to assist
with licensing issues; you should contact the sales group in that case.

  Eric