Mailing List Administration
Project owners can ask the staff group to make a mailing list moderated to only allow certain people to post messages to it. Further the list can be closed so subscription has to be approved prior to being accepted on the list.
Finally the project owners can manipulate the messages sent out by the mailing list software when people subscribe, unsubscribe etc.
Set list to moderator-only posting
It is possible to set up one of your ezmlm lists so that only the moderator(s) can send messages to it. This would be useful, for example, for a newsletter list or for sending out announcements for new software releases etc. To have this enabled, simply email staff@dotsrc.org with the list you require to have set up so that only the moderator(s) can send to it.
Changing Ezmlm messages
It is possible to change the messages ezmlm sends when somebody subscribes to your list, unsubscribes from your list, etc. In order for this, you must have remote administration enabled for the list you would like to change the default messages for. To enable remote administration, simply email staff@dotsrc.org with the list you require to have remote administration set up for.
Once remote administration is set up, you can now change the default messages ezmlm sets up. Each editable message has a name; they are as follows:
top
Introducing ezmlm. This is placed at the top of each response.
bottom
Explaining how to use ezmlm. This is placed at the bottom of each response.
sub-confirm
Explaining how to confirm a subscription request.
sub-ok
Acknowledging successful subscription.
sub-nop
Acknowledging a subscription request for an address already on the mailing list.
subad-b
Rejecting a bad subscription confirmation number.
unsub-confirm
Explaining how to confirm an unsubscription request, and explaining how to figure out the subscription address
unsub-ok
Acknowledging successful unsubscription.
unsub-nop
Acknowledging an unsubscription request for an address not on the mailing list.
unsubad-b
Rejecting a bad unsubscription confirmation number.
getad-b
Rejecting a bad archive retrieval request.
digest
Text copied into the Administrativia section of the digest. Usually, this will contain subscription info for the digest, as well as information on how to post to the list.
trailer
If this files exists, it is copied to the end of all messages to the list.
faq
Sent in response to the faq command. Usually contains frequently asked questions and answers specific for the mailing list.
info
Sent in response to the info command. Usually contains a descripition, policy, etc, for the list. The first line should in itself be a very brief description of the list.
bounce-warn
Pointing out that messages have bounced.
bounce-probe
Pointing out that a warning message has bounced.
bounce-num
Explaining that ezmlm-return has kept a list of bounced message numbers.
digounce-num-b
Explaining that digest messages have bounced. All other text files are used for both the main list and the digest list.
bounceottom-b
Separating the bounce message.
mod-help
is set to list moderators issuing a -help command. It contains instructions for moderators, but it is relatively trivial for a non-moderator to read it. Don't put secrets here.
mod-reject
is the returned to the sender of a rejected post.
mod-timeout
is returned if the message timed-out without moderator action.
mod-sub
is added to the text confirming subscription and unsubscription instead of bottom and the requesting message, for actions that were approved by a moderator. Not copying the requesting message hides the moderator identity from the subscriber.
mod-request
is the text sent to the moderators to request moderator action on a posted message.
mod-unsub-confirm
Requesting that the moderator confirm a request to subscribe. If this file does not exist, sub-confirm will be used.
mod-unsub-confirm
Requesting that the moderator confirm a request to unsubscribe. If this file does not exist, unsub-confirm will be used.
edit-do
Instructions sent to the remote administrator together with a copy of a dir/text file and editing instructions.
edit-list
A list of editable files in dir/text with a one-line description send to a remote administrator in response to a -edit command.
edit-done
Sent to the remote administrator after an edited dir/text file has been successfully saved.
To edit one of these, simply email yourlist-edit.XXX@yourproject.dotsrc.org where XXX is one of the above. You will then get the default text for that particular message emailed to you. Simply edit and put the change into effect by hitting reply in your mail client, editing it, then hitting send. Note that you must send to the address above and reply from the email address that is the moderator's address.
Here is an example: To change the message at the top of each respose, we email joebloggslist-edit.top@joebloggs.dotsrc.org from our moderator address. We then get the current message emailed to us. We then reply, change the message to "Read the Joe Bloggs ezmlm list message below", hit send and the change is put into effect. Whenever ezmlm emails someone with some confirmation or whatever, that will be at the top of the message.
There is more info on remote administration for ezmlm at http://www.ezmlm.org/faq-0.40/FAQ-4.html#ss4.35, however, beware! It can quite confusing!