Re: minor stuff...

[Steve VanDevender <stevev@efn.org>]

Kevin Houston writes:
 > Steve VanDevender wrote:
 > > Actually, I have been thinking about offering this very service.  I have
 > > at least two permanently-connected machines I would be able to run such
 > > a list from (jcomm.uoregon.edu and hexadecimal.uoregon.edu), and this
 > > list is small enough and low enough in traffic that I could even run the
 > > list manually.
 > > 
 > > If people are interested I could create a list on my work machine,
 > > hexadecimal.uoregon.edu with all the current names.  I think the only
 > > question is what we'd want to call the list -- mini-lit?
 > > starship-design?
 > > 
 > > I wouldn't attach any strings to hosting the list, and I would honor any
 > > subscription or unsubscription requests sent to the list-request or
 > > owner-list addresses.  If I get ambitious I could probably even create
 > > a digest version in addition to the simple mail reflector.
 > 
 > Steve, I'm not sure I understand what you are proposeing.  Are you
 > saying that when I send a e-mail to listserv@wherever it would
 > automatically bounce to all the members?  Or are you saying that the
 > messages would stack up for a while, and then one e-mail would be
 > sent to each of us on a weekly basis (or whenever) and would you be
 > able to handle the addition of new members (several hundred?)
 > 
 > If it is the former, then I don't think that is an improvement, but
 > if it is the latter, then it sounds like a good idea to me (assuming
 > that LIT doesn't move to Urly-bird.com)

Let me restate what I'm proposing:

I would create a mailing list, for the purposes of this example
mini-lit@hexadecimal.uoregon.edu.  Mail to
mini-lit@hexadecimal.uoregon.edu would go to all current recipients of
this message; it would be implemented as a mail alias so remailing of
messages would be instant and automatic.  People could subscribe or
unsubscribe by mailing to mini-lit-request@hexadecimal.uoregon.edu or
owner-mini-lit@hexadecimal.uoregon.edu.  For now I'd probably just
handle the mailing list manually rather than using automated mailing
list software, and consider the automated mailing list if volume became
very high.

If there is interest I could also create a mini-lit-digest that would
send multi-message digests rather than individual messages.  It would be
an option in addition to the mini-lit mail reflector, not a replacement.

I'm proposing this as a convenience to current subscribers to the
current mini-lit.  Rather than have to handle a long recipient list or
remember who is and isn't on the list, I'm willing to set up a service
so that people can just mail to mini-lit@hexadecimal.uoregon.edu, which
would simplify submissions and make it easier for recipients to
automatically sort and archive messages.

Just so you know, hexadecimal.uoregon.edu is an AlphaStation 255/233
running Digital UNIX that is permanently connected at the University of
Oregon.  It's my personal workstation, which is why I can offer a
mini-lit mailing list service on it -- it's completely under my control
and I'm sure it is easily capable of handling the mailing list.

I could also look into the possibility of hosting the list on
darkwing.uoregon.edu, which handles most of the other mailing lists at
the U of O.  I'm not as sure what the eligibility requirements for
having a list on darkwing are, but if we qualify then it would also
instantly set this list up as a Majordomo list and allow automated
subscription/unsubscription.