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switching_email_list_server_for_lctg [2020.01.12 13:09] – k Steve Isenbergswitching_email_list_server_for_lctg [2021.12.22 10:51] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-=====Switching eMail List Server for LCTG=====+~~NOCACHE~~=====Switching eMail List Server for LCTG=====
  
 ===How it used to be, using Yahoo Groups=== ===How it used to be, using Yahoo Groups===
Line 5: Line 5:
   * Yahoo Groups maintained history of email messages   * Yahoo Groups maintained history of email messages
   * Yahoo Groups held posted presentation files   * Yahoo Groups held posted presentation files
 +  * We had thought about switching away, always too much trouble, no real reason to switch
 +  * Steve set up a Wiki page containing presentation videos and materials
 +  * Everything was working OK and we could worry about other things (what's for dinner, etc)
  
 ===So why did we need to change away from Yahoo Groups?=== ===So why did we need to change away from Yahoo Groups?===
 +  * Yahoo pushed the point!
   * They announced they'd stop providing many services late last year (2019)   * They announced they'd stop providing many services late last year (2019)
-  * No longer would email list be publicly viewable +  * They'll stop storing email messages and delete older ones 
-  * No longer would they store email messages sent to the group +  * They'll stop allowing file storage and delete ones stored 
-  * No longer would they retain presentation files +  * They'll change the way the email list works and how it's managed 
-  * In fact, as of now, they have deleted presentation files and email list history+  * As of the end of 2019, they have deleted all files and message history from YahooGroups
  
 ===What Could We Do?=== ===What Could We Do?===
 +When we learned this what YahooGroups was planning...
   * We formed committee to discuss alternatives   * We formed committee to discuss alternatives
   * Groups.io and Steve's Mailman service & Wiki were considered   * Groups.io and Steve's Mailman service & Wiki were considered
   * We perceived costs associated with switching to Groups.io   * We perceived costs associated with switching to Groups.io
-  * No costs other than sweat for switching to Steve's Mailman and Wiki, and Steve was willing to put in the sweat +  * We noted No costs other than sweat for switching to Steve's Mailman and Wiki 
-  * Committee decided to give Steve's option a try, noting that we could switch to another option later, if it didn't work out +  * Steve was willing to put in the sweat to effect the switch 
 +  * Committee decided to give Steve's option a try 
 +  * Committee agreed that we could switch to another option later 
  
 ====How was the transfer effected?==== ====How was the transfer effected?====
 +Protect the past and set up for the future
  
 ===First...Just-In-Case actions=== ===First...Just-In-Case actions===
-  * Steve grabbed a list of Yahoo Group emails and names +  * Steve grabbed a list of YahooGroup emails and names 
-  * CharlyS grabbed the presentation files +  * CharlyS grabbed the presentation files from YahooGroup 
-  * Steve grabbed the entire group message history+  * Steve grabbed the entire YahooGroup message history 
 +And we have a bunch of files.  Now need to make them useful and replace YahooGroup functionality.
  
-===Setting Up the Replacement Mail List===+===Set Up the Replacement Mail List=== 
 +We had a list of all members on the YahooGroups list.
   * Created a domain LCTG.toku.us    * Created a domain LCTG.toku.us 
     * actually it's a Subdomain of toku.us     * actually it's a Subdomain of toku.us
-    * Note that ''toku.us'' is a domain owned by Steve, toku is short for "TO Keep Up" (maybe?)+    * Note that ''toku.us'' is a domain owned by Steve, it can be short for "TO Keep Up with US" (maybe?)
   * Created an email list, LCTG@lists.toku.us   * Created an email list, LCTG@lists.toku.us
   * Configured the email list settings   * Configured the email list settings
-  * Converted the email addresses CSV file to a list consisting of ''name <person@email.com>'' +  * Converted the email addresses CSV file from YahooGroups to a list consisting of ''name <person@email.com>'' needed for Mailman 
-  * Did a bulk add of all the emails +    * Banned members - some were banned on YahooGroup, and were set as banned on Mailman 
-At this point, the email list was operational.\\  +    * Digest - some members had daily digests of messages on YahooGroup, set this for them on Mailman 
-As it was used, Steve made tweaks to the configuration +  * Did a bulk add of all emails into Mailman using this converted file 
-  * Removed bounce processing +At this point, the email list was operational.
-  * Changed email header line to [Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] +
-  * Moderators are Steve, CharlyS, and JohnR +
-    * For non-list-members, posts must be moderated (prevents spam) +
-    * Process/approve (or not) requests to join the list+
  
-===Preserving Files from Older Presentations===+===Tweak it===  
 +After it was deployed (put into operation), Steve made tweaks (fixes, improvements) to the configuration, for example: 
 +  * Remove/eliminate bounce processing 
 +  * Changed email header line to [Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] (from [LCTG]) 
 +  * Set moderators as Steve, CharlyS, and JohnR.  What are moderator's duties? 
 +    * Moderate (approve or deny) posts by non-list-members (e.g. spam) 
 +    * Process and approve (or not) requests to join the email list (also prevents improper use) 
 +    * This is a low-overhead job (maybe 1 join request/month, maybe 3-4 message moderates/year) 
 +    * Anyone else want to be a Moderator? 
 + 
 +===Posted Files from Older Presentations=== 
 +We had a directory with zillions (figuratively) of files from presentations, want to make 'em available somehow 
 +  * Wanted ease of use to see what's there and access stuff you want 
 +  * Decided to put these files in the Wiki 
 +    * decided against FTP server 
 +    * decided against using cloud storage e.g., Google, Dropbox
   * Uploaded presentation files from 2007 to 2018 to the Wiki   * Uploaded presentation files from 2007 to 2018 to the Wiki
-  * Created a Wiki page, showing all of the files by year, and linking to each +  * Created a Wiki page that... 
-  * Linked to this page of older presentation files to the LCTG main page on the Wiki +    * shows all of the files by year 
-  * Note that recent presentation files are on the Wiki+    * links to each so you can view or download them by clicking 
 +  * Linked to this page to the LCTG main page on the Wiki 
 +  * //Note that recent presentation files are on the Wiki and not on this "older files" page// 
 + 
 +===What About the Email Message Archive?=== 
 +  * We have a large file holding old email list messages (100MB+) 
 +  * Messages are in a raw format, hard to read by most humans 
 +  * Message file needs processing before you can search and read messages (unless you are a Super Whiz) 
 +  * (See an extract below) 
 +  * We are not doing anything with these for now 
 +  * If you would like a copy of this message archive, let me know 
 +  * If you would like to help process the messages or extract useful ones, let me know 
 +  * But is it worthwhile?  Is there sufficient benefit?
  
-===LCTG Information Page -- the Wiki http://LCTG.toku.us===+===LCTG Information Page -- the Wiki [[http://LCTG.toku.us]]===
   * Nearly 2 years ago, Steve created a Wiki page holding information:   * Nearly 2 years ago, Steve created a Wiki page holding information:
     * About the computer group (LCTG)     * About the computer group (LCTG)
-    * Upcoming meetings +    * About upcoming meetings 
-    * Past meetings with link to video recording and presentation slides and other materials+    * About past meetings with link to video recording and presentation slides and other materials
   * Over time he has enhanced this Wiki:   * Over time he has enhanced this Wiki:
     * Adding info on how to join the group     * Adding info on how to join the group
-    * How to see past email messages+    * How to see past email messages (Mailman system)
     * How to access past presentations     * How to access past presentations
  
 +=====Using the New Technology=====
 +Using the current (new) system; you'll find the links here at the bottom of every email you get from the list.
 +===Email list===
 +  * Send to the list -- send email (from a subscribed email address) to ''LCTG@toku.us'' or ''LCTG@lists.toku.us''
 +    * //Sends from non-subscribed email are Moderated//
 +  * Reply to messages -- go to sender of message only
 +  * Reply to message going to everyone -- Reply All
 +  * View message archives -- go to [[http://lists.toku.us/listinfo.cgi/lctg-toku.us]] 
 +  * Sign up for the email list -- send email to ''LCTG-subscribe@toku.us'' (this can be you if you're not on the list, or a friend) and include 
 +    * your full name
 +    * town where you live
 +    * brief intro and why you're interested in the group, and
 +    * topics you might present to the group
 +  * Get off the email list -- send email to ''LCTG-unsubscribe@toku.us'' from the email account you want to unsubscribe
 +  * Change your subscription
 +    * see the link to see/change your list options, at the bottom of emails sent to you
 +    * For example: http://lists.toku.us/options.cgi/lctg-toku.us/SuperWhiz@gmail.com (if you are subscribed as SuperWhiz@gmail.com) 
 +    * On this, your membership (subscription options) page, you can
 +      * get your list password sent to you
 +      * change your list password
 +      * change your email address
 +      * turn on/off batch (digest) mode
 +      * turn on/off message delivery
 +      * get an acknowledgement whenever you send to the list
 +===Presentation files===
 +  * [[https://wiki.toku.us/doku.php?id=lctgolderfiles]]
  
 +====Behind The Curtains====
 +//Some more technical information for those with inquiring minds//
 +===The email list CSV format (example) received from YahooGroups===
 +<code>
 +"Display Name",Email,Status,Delivery,Posting,Joined
 +johndoe,JohnnieDoe@yahoo.com,Member,"Individual Emails",Allowed,"August 31, 2011"
 +Albert Einstein,SuperWhiz@gmail.com,Member,"Individual Emails",Allowed,"November 13, 1938"
 +Dinald Trimp,bigguy@twh.gov,Member,"Daily Digest",Allowed,"January 20, 2017"
 +</code>
 +What it was changed to for entry to the new system
 +<code>
 +johndoe <JohnnieDoe@yahoo.com>
 +Albert Einstein <SuperWhiz@gmail.com>
 +Dinald Trimp <bigguy@twh.gov>
 +</code>
 +After the email addresses were read into Mailman, Steve manually changed subscriptions for those banned and those getting a daily digest.
 +===Wiki page extract===
 +Here's what part of the LCTG Wiki page looks like (the table holding past and upcoming meetings)
 +<code>
 +^ Date^ Topic^
 +|Jan 1, 2020|//New Year's Day -- no meeting//\\ Your homework this week is to pray (to whichever deity you prefer) for health, wealth, and happiness in the new year.|
 +|Jan 8, 2020| **Ig Nobel 2019 Awards** //awards for dubious inventions// (Peter Albin)  [[https://youtu.be/mfzs8ZIPVIA|presentation]] [[https://www.improbable.com/}|link to Improbable Research page]]|
 +</code>
  
 +===How Mailman is Administered?===
 +The list administrator can make changes to the way the list operates and membership data.  The user interface provides many pages grouped by function:
 +  * General Options
 +    * See/change Group name, Administrators, Moderators, Descriptions of group, [ ] message tag, etc
 +  * Membership management
 +    * List management (manually unsubscribe, set moderation, don't sent messages to, etc, for specific members)
 +    * Subscribing and removing members
 +  * Archiving options (our messages are archived, available only to members, creating a new volume of messages every month)
  
 +====Opening PDFs====
 +A How-To, from Gary Patrick
 +  * Click on the 3-dot "Customize Chrome" icon near the upper right corner of any Chrome page.  
 +  * Select "settings" and open the "Advanced" portion at the very bottom. 
 +  * In "Privacy and Security," scroll down to and click on "PDF documents."  
 +  * Slide the "Download PDF files . . " button to "Off."
  
-  * Created a Wikihttp://LCTG.toku.us+====Extract from messages archive101.1MB total==== 
 +//This shows that the archive isn't really useful as it stands.// 
 +<code> 
 +From DummyAddressAndDate Thu Sep 16 11:42:17 2010 
 +X-Yahoo-Msgnum:
 +Return-Path: <jeplewis@yahoo.com> 
 +X-Sender: jeplewis@yahoo.com 
 +X-Apparently-To: LexingtonComputerGroup@yahoogroups.com 
 +Received: (qmail 85934 invoked from network); 5 Sep 2007 21:42:57 -0000 
 +Received: from unknown (66.218.66.72) 
 +  by m43.grp.scd.yahoo.com with QMQP; 5 Sep 2007 21:42:57 -0000 
 +Received: from unknown (HELO n10b.bullet.sp1.yahoo.com) (69.147.64.104) 
 +  by mta14.grp.scd.yahoo.com with SMTP; 5 Sep 2007 21:42:57 -0000 
 +Received: from [216.252.122.218] by n10.bullet.sp1.yahoo.com with NNFMP; 05 Sep 2007 21:41:51 -0000 
 +Received: from [66.218.69.2] by t3.bullet.sp1.yahoo.com with NNFMP; 05 Sep 2007 21:41:51 -0000 
 +Received: from [66.218.66.80] by t2.bullet.scd.yahoo.com with NNFMP; 05 Sep 2007 21:41:51 -0000 
 +Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:41:50 -0000 
 +To: LexingtonComputerGroup@yahoogroups.com 
 +Message-ID: <fbn7qu+sush@eGroups.com> 
 +User-Agent: eGroups-EW/0.82 
 +MIME-Version: 1.0 
 +Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="2-2537035772-2107687812=:0" 
 +X-Mailer: Yahoo Groups Message Poster 
 +X-Yahoo-Newman-Property: groups-compose 
 +X-eGroups-Msg-Info: 1:6:0:0:0 
 +From: "jeplewis" <jeplewis@yahoo.com> 
 +Subject: Proposed List of Topics for Presentations 2007/2008 
 +X-Yahoo-Group-Post: member; u=118236784; y=xpShhNfnSYE26-Qqx7U8MFn2GMM_VanruiZBq2j2QPLrw9o 
 +X-Yahoo-Profile: jeplewis
  
  
-Why did we need to do this?+--2-2537035772-2107687812=:
 +Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" 
 +Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
  
-Using the current (new) system  +Introduction: In response to requests from members, this is a list of 
-  - Email list +sugge= 
-    - Sign up for the email list +sted topics for possible presentations for the 2007/2008 season. 
-    - Get off the email list +The list w= 
-    - Change your subscription  +as gathered during the first meeting of the season held on 
-      - get your list password +Wednesday 5th Se= 
-      - change your email address +ptember 2007 
-      - turn on/off batch mode +Meeing Chaired by Shep
-      - other settings you can control) +
-  - Presentation files+
  
-Behind the curtain +      Topics For Future Meeings (Not e= 
-  - The process I followed for getting the email list from Yahoo to Mailman +dited =96 not formatted
-  - How to manage the Mailman-based list (the administrative pages, technical details+      5th September 2007
-  - The process Charly and I followed to get all of the files from Yahoo +
-  - What I did to put the files on the Wiki so you can see them all in one place+
  
-  Maybe look at older files, 2011 and earlier, and identify which should be added to the new system+General Refresher Wind= 
 +ows XP - basics
  
-===Opening PDFs=== +Spread sheets  HowTo 
-From Gary Patrick + 
-  * Click on the 3-dot "Customize Chrome" icon near the upper right corner of any Chrome page.   +Photography 
-  * Select "settings" and open the "Advancedportion at the very bottom.  +Editing Pictures 
-  * In "Privacy and Security,scroll down to and click on "PDF documents."   +Picasa = 
-  * Slide the "Download PDF files . " button to "Off."+/ Web Albums -              (Volunteer - Paul) 
 + 
 +Opening the Calculator - Od= 
 +ds and Ends on computer use 
 +Email - send an article via email 
 +Problems in o= 
 +pening attachments 
 + 
 +How to use your browser - Internet Explorer and Firefox
 + - how to setup 
 +and use 
 + 
 +Searching the web / Get reviews on computer-relate= 
 +d equipment - Try PC 
 +World 
 + 
 +How to replace your computer - when the evil da= 
 +y comes and your present 
 +computer dies. 
 +Should you opt for Windows XP or Wi= 
 +ndows Vista? 
 + 
 +Intro to Vista 
 + 
 +How to move from Windows XP to the Apple Mac = 
 +(two ways) 
 + 
 +Computer Security - HowTo  (Volunteer - Paul) 
 +Spyware/ Adware/ = 
 +Browser Hijacker / Key Logger 
 +Anti-virus Anti-Spyware 
 + 
 +General Interest 
 +iTu= 
 +nes - 
 + 
 +Blogs - what are they 
 + 
 +Stock Market - 
 + 
 +Digital Camers - how to use /= 
 + How to choose one 
 + 
 +YouTube How to 
 + 
 +Google Maps / Satelite view / pull your= 
 + route away from the Google route 
 + 
 +Saving your precious data  Backups 
 + 
 +Reco= 
 +rding on to CD-ROM and DVD 
 + 
 +Compiled by Paul Lewis 
 +All complaints, suggesti= 
 +ons, comments additions, should be addressed to 
 +Paul 
 +PS. The next meeting w= 
 +ill be on 19th September 2007 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +--2-2537035772-2107687812=:
 +Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" 
 +Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable 
 + 
 +Introduction: In response to requests from members, this is a list of sugge= 
 +sted topics for possible presentations for the 2007/2008 season<br>The li= 
 +st was gathered during the first meeting of the season held on Wednesday 5t= 
 +h September 2007 <br>Meeing Chaired by Shep<br><br><div align=3D"center"><b= 
 +>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Topics For Future Meeings (Not edited =96 not for= 
 +matted)</b><br><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5th September 2007</b><br></div>
 +<br>General Refresher - Windows XP - basics<br><br>Spread sheets&nbsp; HowT= 
 +o&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Photography<br>Editing Pictures<br>Picasa / Web Album= 
 +s -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 +&nbsp; (Volunteer - Paul)<br><br>Opening the Calculator - Odds and Ends on = 
 +computer use <br>Email - send an article via email<br>Problems in opening a= 
 +ttachments<br><br>How to use your browser - Internet Explorer and Firefox -= 
 + how to setup and use <br><br>Searching the web / Get reviews on computer-r= 
 +elated equipment - Try PC World<br><br>How to replace your computer - when = 
 +the evil day comes and your present computer dies.<br>Should you opt for Wi= 
 +ndows XP or Windows Vista?<br><br>Intro to Vista<br><br>How to move from Wi= 
 +ndows XP to the Apple Mac (two ways)<br><br>Computer Security - HowTo&nbsp;
 + (Volunteer - Paul)<br>Spyware/ Adware/ Browser Hijacker / Key Logger<br>An= 
 +ti-virus Anti-Spyware<br><br>General Interest<br>iTunes - <br><br>Blogs - w= 
 +hat are they <br><br>Stock Market - <br><br>Digital Camers - how to use / H= 
 +ow to choose one<br><br>YouTube How to <br><br>Google Maps / Satelite view = 
 +/ pull your route away from the Google route<br><br>Saving your precious da= 
 +ta&nbsp; Backups<br><br>Recording on to CD-ROM and DVD <br><br>Compiled by = 
 +Paul Lewis<br>All complaints, suggestions, comments additions, should be ad= 
 +dressed to Paul <br>PSThe next meeting will be on 19th September 2007<br>
 +<br><br><br><br><br> 
 + 
 +--2-2537035772-2107687812=:0-- 
 + 
 + 
 +From DummyAddressAndDate Thu Sep 16 11:42:17 2010 
 +X-Yahoo-Msgnum: 22 
 +Return-Path: <paul@computerhomehelp.com> 
 +</code> 
 +etc 
 + 
 +{{counter|total| page visit| page visits}}
switching_email_list_server_for_lctg.1578863347.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021.12.22 11:21 (external edit)