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This information was last updated on June 21, 1999

 
Platforms and Software

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of companies that provide list services. Most of these companies, however, provide their lists via one of four common platforms:

• majordomo
  
• listserv (NOT listserve)
  
• listproc (may be known as CREN ListProc)
  
• L-Soft
  

SparkLIST regularly scours the Internet "to find EVERY known E-mail List-Software." This list is available at:
http://List-Business.com/list-software/. Christopher M. Knight (Sparky) is the CEO of SparkNET Interactive, producer of several very helpful free e-mail newsletters for list-owners, providing technical, marketing and moderating tips.

NetAction Notes 49 explores the downside of hosting nonprofit mailing lists at the large commercial list hosts. This organization's comments are at http://www.netaction.org/notes/notes49.html.

Free List Hosting Services

SparkLIST also publishes the http://List-Tips.com/ Ezine, which offers daily "Email List-Owner Tips, Tricks, Suggestions, Secrets, or Resources That You Can Use To Build, Grow, Maintain Your List" (to join, e-mail: join-list-tips@sparklist.com). Look in past issues of their newsletter for their June 1999 reviews of the major free list e-mail hosting service providers (ONElist, Topica, eGroups and ListBot).

Free e-mail list hosting services are definitely NOT for everyone -- they lack many of the features found in other services --, but the http://List-Tips.com/ Ezine comparison should help those who are thinking about using such a service make an informed decision.