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A listserv is an electronic mailing list utilized for e-mail driven discussions. Each listserv has a topic or subject around which the discussion centers. Anyone with Internet email may be a listserv member.
There are places on the Internet with master lists of listservs. For example, at lsoft's web site you can search for a particular listserv. If you already know the name of a list, you may go to http://tile.net/listserv/. This site provides information on the number of subscribers, country of origin, whether or not there is a human moderator, and how to subscribe.
How do I subscribe?
To subscribe to a listserv, you first must know the listserv address. Once you know the address, the standard subscription format is that you send and e-mail to the listserv address, leave the subject line blank, and in the body of the message write SUBSCRIBE listname your firstname your lastname (e.g. SUBSCRIBE DEOS-L Jane Doe). Your name and email address will automatically be added to the list. You should receive a standard e-mail letter of welcome describing the list and giving further instructions for participation as well as directions for unsubscribing (signing off). It is important to keep this information handy for a time when you may go on vacation and don't want to fill up your mailbox, or if you simply want to leave the listserv. Once added to the listserv, you will receive all e-mail postings sent to the list. Members participate by reading their e-mail and e-mailing any response. All messages sent to the list will be broadcast to the entire list. If you have a personal response, send it directly to a personal e-mail address.