I've just set up my first website and mailing list and am having trouble finding out how (if?) I can have the mailing list features I want.

The mailing list is for a discussion/support group.

The hosting package I have uses Ensim. It has Majordomo but this has been modified and I am told cannot itself run digests or archives.

The mailing list is now running in a basic form but I would like to add features:

An archive so members can view (and preferably search) previous messages.

A digest for members who don't want so many separate e-mails.

I'd like there also to be a web interface for the users who prefer to view and reply to messages on the web. (Would be great if it looked and functioned just like a normal web forum. But I want the default to be that members get e-mails. This way more people benefit from and contribute to the discussions.)

It would also help some users if they could subscribe, unsubscribe etc by a web interface if they choose.

One thing I like about Majordomo is that I can manage the list by e-mail using my palmtop when I travel.

I have heard of MailMan that apparently will do (some of?) this, but the server doesn't have Python. Not sure what other technical info needed - Linux server. Host also supplies Invision and PhpBB Bulletin Boards. But I really do want the default to be discussion by mailing list, with web access for those that choose. Rather than a web forum that people will have to change settings if they want e-mail.

Does anyone know how (if) this is possible? Any helpful tutorials and software?

Thank you

Clare

Not to point out the obvious, but this is why I don't run sites on Ensim servers. They are (IMHO) way behind the times, and sparse on features.

Mailman is packaged with cPanel and it will be much easier to switch to a cPanel host now and then use the built-in web config for Mailman to set up your list(s), than to try to manually hack up Majordomo or whatever on Ensim.

Just a very humble 2¢ worth from here. I've gone through a number of hosts due to mailing lists and that's why I finally ended up on cPanel four years ago. Never looked back. :)

:D Bailey

Originally posted by bithost(NET)
... it will be much easier to switch to a cPanel host now and then use the built-in web config for Mailman to set up your list...

:D Bailey

Hmm. My question would then become:

How do I find a good UK host with CPanel and Mailman (and a forum software in case I develop the site that way) FrontPage extensions, and, very very important, good customer support.

It's essential everything is easy for me to understand and use with good customer support as I am so new to this.

The host I use at present has been helpful and has a forum, so others have helped too.

Any know reliable hosts that would provide all this?

Clare