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switching_email_list_server_for_lctg [2020.01.12 13:53] – [Behind The Curtains] 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===
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   * 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 emails using this converted file +    * 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 
-After it was deployed (used), Steve made tweaks to the configuration to handle issues and improve it +  * 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 Historic email messages?=== +===What About the Email Message Archive?=== 
-  * The messages are in a large (100MB) file +  * We have a large file holding old email list messages (100MB+
-  * They are in raw format +  * Messages are in raw format, hard to read by most humans 
-  * They need processing before they can be easily read and searched +  * Message file needs processing before you can search and read messages (unless you are a Super Whiz) 
-  * See an extract below +  * (See an extract below) 
-  * For now, we are not doing anything with these +  * We are not doing anything with these for now 
-  * If you would like to help process the messages to something useful, let me know (and thanks!)+  * 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?   * 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 New Technology=====
- +Using the current (new) system; you'll find the links here at the bottom of every email you get from the list. 
-Using the current (new) system  +===Email list=== 
-  Email list +  * Send to the list -- send email (from a subscribed email address) to ''LCTG@toku.us'' or ''LCTG@lists.toku.us'' 
-    * 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 messages -- go to sender of message only 
-    * Reply to message going to everyone -- Reply All +  * Reply to message going to everyone -- Reply All 
-    * View message archives -- [[http://lists.toku.us/listinfo.cgi/lctg-toku.us]]  +  * 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 with your full nametown where you livebrief intro and why you're interested in the group, and topics you might present to the group +  * 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  
-    * Get off the email list -- send email to LCTG-unsubscribe@toku.us from the email account you want to unsubscribe +    * your full name 
-    * Change your subscription +    * town where you live 
-      * see link to your list options, at bottom of emails sent to you +    * brief intro and why you're interested in the group, and 
-      * For example: http://lists.toku.us/options.cgi/lctg-toku.us/SuperWhiz@gmail.com (if you are subscribed as SuperWhiz@gmail.com)  +    * topics you might present to the group 
-      * On this, your membership page, you can +  * Get off the email list -- send email to ''LCTG-unsubscribe@toku.us'' from the email account you want to unsubscribe 
-        * get your list password +  * Change your subscription 
-        * change your list password +    * see the link to see/change your list options, at the bottom of emails sent to you 
-        * change your email address +    * For example: http://lists.toku.us/options.cgi/lctg-toku.us/SuperWhiz@gmail.com (if you are subscribed as SuperWhiz@gmail.com)  
-        * turn on/off batch (digest) mode +    * On this, your membership (subscription options) page, you can 
-        * turn on/off message delivery +      * get your list password sent to you 
-        * get an acknowledgement when you send to the list +      * change your list password 
-  Presentation files -- https://wiki.toku.us/doku.php?id=lctgolderfiles+      * 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==== ====Behind The Curtains====
- +//Some more technical information for those with inquiring minds// 
-===The email list CSV format (names changed but format retained)===+===The email list CSV format (examplereceived from YahooGroups===
 <code> <code>
 "Display Name",Email,Status,Delivery,Posting,Joined "Display Name",Email,Status,Delivery,Posting,Joined
 johndoe,JohnnieDoe@yahoo.com,Member,"Individual Emails",Allowed,"August 31, 2011" johndoe,JohnnieDoe@yahoo.com,Member,"Individual Emails",Allowed,"August 31, 2011"
 Albert Einstein,SuperWhiz@gmail.com,Member,"Individual Emails",Allowed,"November 13, 1938" 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> </code>
 What it was changed to for entry to the new system What it was changed to for entry to the new system
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 johndoe <JohnnieDoe@yahoo.com> johndoe <JohnnieDoe@yahoo.com>
 Albert Einstein <SuperWhiz@gmail.com> Albert Einstein <SuperWhiz@gmail.com>
 +Dinald Trimp <bigguy@twh.gov>
 </code> </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=== ===Wiki page extract===
 +Here's what part of the LCTG Wiki page looks like (the table holding past and upcoming meetings)
 <code> <code>
 ^ Date^ Topic^ ^ Date^ Topic^
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 ===How Mailman is Administered?=== ===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   * General Options
-    * Group name, administratorsdescriptions of group, etc+    * See/change Group name, AdministratorsModerators, Descriptions of group, [ ] message tag, etc
   * Membership management   * Membership management
-    * List management (unsubscribe, set moderation, don't sent messages to, etc) +    * List management (manually unsubscribe, set moderation, don't sent messages to, etc, for specific members
-    * Subscribing, Removing, and changing email address +    * Subscribing and removing members 
-  * Archiving options (they are archived, available only to members, new volume each month)+  * Archiving options (our messages are archived, available only to members, creating a new volume of messages every month)
  
-===Extract from messages archive, 101.1MB total===+====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> <code>
 From DummyAddressAndDate Thu Sep 16 11:42:17 2010 From DummyAddressAndDate Thu Sep 16 11:42:17 2010
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 </code> </code>
 etc etc
-====Opening PDFs==== + 
-A How-To, from Gary Patrick +{{counter|total| page visit| page visits}}
-  * 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."+
switching_email_list_server_for_lctg.txt · Last modified: 2021.12.22 10:51 by 127.0.0.1