Issue 4, 2026 |
LISTSERV® at Work |
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LISTSERV: 40 Years of Connecting the World Through Email
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On June 30, 1986, the first message was sent using LISTSERV. Forty years later, email remains one of the world's most trusted ways to connect people, share knowledge and build communities. For four decades, LISTSERV has helped universities, research institutions, nonprofits and businesses bring people together.
Thank you for being part of this journey!
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When the Machine Room Ran Out of Room
Steve Roder on 40 Years of LISTSERV at the University at Buffalo
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In 1988, a young systems administrator named Steve Roder sprinted down a hallway at the University at Buffalo with one thought in mind: get to the machine room before the entire system chokes. The problem wasn't a virus, a hacker or a power outage. It was email – too much of it. LISTSERV, the automated mailing list software introduced only two years earlier, was generating more traffic than the infrastructure could handle.
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Your LISTSERV Experience Can Help Others
Share Your Review on Gartner Peer Insights and Receive a $25 Gift Card
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If LISTSERV has helped your organization communicate more effectively, build stronger communities or simplify email list management, we'd be grateful if you'd share your experience on Gartner Peer Insights. Your perspective can help peers make informed decisions while contributing valuable feedback to the ongoing evolution of LISTSERV.
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Timeless Tech Tips from the Archives
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What are Dynamic Query Lists and how do I configure them in LISTSERV? |
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By Alexander Hyder
Software Support Engineer, L-Soft
Dynamic Query Lists (DQLs) provide a flexible way to connect LISTSERV with existing LDAP directories and database systems. Rather than storing subscribers in a static .LIST file, DQLs retrieve subscriber information directly from a data source at runtime. This tech tip explains how Dynamic Query Lists work, how to configure them and some common pitfalls to avoid.
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How can I import externally created newsletter templates into LISTSERV Maestro? |
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By Jani Kumpula
Senior Webmaster/UI Designer, L-Soft
While you can create HTML newsletter templates directly in LISTSERV Maestro, many organizations already have newsletters that were designed by an agency, developed in-house or created with another platform. This tip explains how to import existing newsletter designs into LISTSERV Maestro and convert them into reusable templates with just a few simple adjustments.
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Communities that Endure
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RedIRIS Connects Spain's Academic Community
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Since 1995, RedIRIS has used LISTSERV to help connect universities, research centers and academic institutions across Spain. Today, thousands of mailing lists support everything from research discussions and administrative coordination to announcements and specialized interest groups throughout the country's academic community.
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ACOR Communities Connect People Affected by Cancer
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Founded in 1995, the Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) helped build one of the Internet's earliest patient-support communities. While the nonprofit no longer exists, many of its LISTSERV-powered mailing lists remain active today, helping people affected by cancer connect, share experiences and support one another.
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LISTSERV: Discover Four Decades of Quiet Innovation
See How One Simple Idea Connected Communities Around the World
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In 1986, the Internet was small, but email was already transforming how people communicated across distance. What didn't work so well were conversations at scale. As email lists grew, the effort required to maintain them grew even faster. What began as a practical attempt to solve a problem would grow far beyond its original purpose.
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Did you enjoy this special 40th anniversary issue?
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L-Soft international, Inc.
7550 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 400
Bethesda, MD 20814
USA
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L-Soft Sweden AB
Fatburs Brunnsgata 5
118 28 Stockholm
Sweden
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© L-Soft 2026. All Rights Reserved. |
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