On Thu, 8 Oct 1998, Judith Hopkins wrote: > Mitch Turitz sent me the following exchange of messages which touches on > one of my pet peeves, the widespread misuse of the term LISTSERV when an > electronic discussion list is meant. > > The following is a message from Rob Carlson of ALA to the ALA Council. > Following his statement is the message from Connie Newman of Lsoft > International, Inc. that he referred to. While AUTOCAT (unlike the ALA > lists) is run on LISTSERV software the same usage principle applies to us > as well: AUTOCAT is an electronic discussion list/ a discussion list / a > list; it is NOT a LISTSERV. LISTSERV is the software (trademarked) > provided by LSOFT.COM which enables us to run the list; it is the oldest > and best-known of several software packages which perform the same basic > function. > > Please try to keep this distinction in mind when you refer to AUTOCAT or > any other list; they are Lists, NOT Listservs! > Amen to that - I make it a point of politely correcting any users or list owners who misuse the term 'Listserv' generically to refer to a mailing list managed by any software, not just Listserv. I suggest they use the term "Listserv Mailing List" and remind them that Listserv(r) is a trademarked name. Scotty -- Steve Howie [log in to unmask] Netnews and Listserv Admin 519 824-4120 x2556 University of Guelph "If it's not Scottish it's CRRRRAAAAAAAPPPPPP!"