One is with a distribution list, created within your email program, and the other is with a Listserv. Listservs vs Distribution Lists Both distribution lists and Listservs permit multiple-person communications. The sender addresses his message to the list name, and all the people on that list receive the message. The person creating the distribution list decides who will be included in the list. List membership, therefore, is at the creator's discretion.
Responses generally go to ALL list subscribers.
Created by Instructional and Research Computing when you complete and submit an on-line request form . People wishing to be on a particular Listserv must either subscribe to the list or be added by the owner. List membership, therefore, may or may not be at the discretion of the owner, depending on how the list is set up. Special software operates the list. At UNCG the software is called ListProcessor.