The "To Keep Up" Wiki

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
~~NOCACHE~~=====Switching eMail List Server for LCTG=====

===How it used to be, using Yahoo Groups===
  * Yahoo Groups email list
  * Yahoo Groups maintained history of email messages
  * 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?===
  * Yahoo pushed the point!
  * They announced they'd stop providing many services late last year (2019)
  * They'll stop storing email messages and delete older ones
  * They'll stop allowing file storage and delete ones stored
  * They'll change the way the email list works and how it's managed
  * As of the end of 2019, they have deleted all files and message history from YahooGroups

===What Could We Do?===
When we learned this what YahooGroups was planning...
  * We formed committee to discuss alternatives
  * Groups.io and Steve's Mailman service & Wiki were considered
  * We perceived costs associated with switching to Groups.io
  * We noted No costs other than sweat for switching to Steve's Mailman and Wiki
  * 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?====
Protect the past and set up for the future

===First...Just-In-Case actions===
  * Steve grabbed a list of YahooGroup emails and names
  * CharlyS grabbed the presentation files from YahooGroup
  * Steve grabbed the entire YahooGroup message history
And we have a bunch of files.  Now need to make them useful and replace YahooGroup functionality.

===Set Up the Replacement Mail List===
We had a list of all members on the YahooGroups list.
  * Created a domain LCTG.toku.us 
    * actually it's a Subdomain of toku.us
    * 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
  * Configured the email list settings
  * Converted the email addresses CSV file from YahooGroups to a list consisting of ''name <person@email.com>'' needed for Mailman
    * Banned members - some were banned on YahooGroup, and were set as banned on Mailman
    * Digest - some members had daily digests of messages on YahooGroup, set this for them on Mailman
  * Did a bulk add of all emails into Mailman using this converted file
At this point, the email list was operational.

===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
  * Created a Wiki page that...
    * shows all of the files by year
    * 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]]===
  * Nearly 2 years ago, Steve created a Wiki page holding information:
    * About the computer group (LCTG)
    * About upcoming meetings
    * About past meetings with link to video recording and presentation slides and other materials
  * Over time he has enhanced this Wiki:
    * Adding info on how to join the group
    * How to see past email messages (Mailman system)
    * 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."

====Extract from messages archive, 101.1MB 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: 1
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


--2-2537035772-2107687812=:0
Content-Type: text/plain; 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.
The list w=
as gathered during the first meeting of the season held on
Wednesday 5th Se=
ptember 2007
Meeing Chaired by Shep

      Topics For Future Meeings (Not e=
dited =96 not formatted)
      5th September 2007

General Refresher - Wind=
ows XP - basics

Spread sheets  HowTo

Photography
Editing Pictures
Picasa =
/ 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=:0
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>PS. The 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}}