Joined on 06-24-2005
TechSoup Member
Apart from the ubiquitous Yahoo Groups, what other options are there for starting an email discussion list? I'd be open to both online and software-based options...
Most Linux-based hosting accounts come standard with Mailman. This not-very-friendly program can provide a nice mailing list or email discussion list and has all the common features.
For a real discussion list, that would be my best suggestion.
Drupal has a nice email list module available.
I used Arrow at work for quite some time. It worked nicely.
Arrow at Jadebox
What do you plan to use the listserv to accomplish? What type of collaboration or communications goal did you have in mind?
With that said, also take a look at google groups.
Arrow looks like it will do most of what Mailman can, but it runs on Windows which could be a problem. And while they have a free version that will support one list of 50 subscribers, the paid version costs $50.
Did I mention Mailman is free?
This not-very-friendly program can provide a nice mailing list or email discussion list and has all the common features.
I've got to sort of take issue with what Christian wrote.
Yes, setting it up from scatch can be a bit intimidating (especially if you're not used to the the open source "way" of doing things).
However, once someone else sets it up, adding/configuring/deleting users can be incredibly simple. If you'd like, I can set you up mailman on one of my Debian boxes, and you can use it to your heart's content.
Just email me, and I'll set you up, if you like. At the risk of scaring you away, here's all you'll have to do:
I'll give you an IP so that you can make your 'mail' A record (e.g. mail.domain.com) then you'll have to make that A record your 10 MX record. I'll give you an email address, email that email address, and you'll get cool instructions, along with a backend web-based tool that will help you configure how exactly it all works.
Sound cool?
(Friends don't let friends pay for trendy software that is in all likelihood inferior to the 'old school' free version!)
Joined on 01-04-2004
TechSoup Member
Can anyone offer advice on the listserv options listed below?
Lsoft
Mailenable
Lyris
We would like something that can handle discussion groups and our electronic newsletter. The newsletter has over 700 subscribers and we are interested in expanding our discussion groups fro 3 to 9 with room to grow. We would also like to be able to export e-mail addresses from our database.
Nancy Kotz
APPL