I looked further into the offerings from CASI's web service provider,
that SmartList program, and have determined that it will be far too much
trouble to use. It is unreliable and difficult to use. To keep the
list moderated, which I want to do to avoid unnecesary bandwidth
wasting, rogue posts, etc, I would have to telnet to the server each
time I wanted to send a mail and forge a certain header with the elm
program. Currently I am sending this with Netscape to four addresses
so you can imagine which is easier. However, I have to either
cut-and-paste, quote, or attach your messages to get them to the list.
I am sending it through the local ISP's mail server which causes
problems for them because of the number of recipients on the list.
I was *thrilled* to find tonight on CASI's web service provider's site,
an announcement of their own mailing list software, which at first
glance seems to solve all of my problems - an easy way to moderate a
large list from the web, subscribe and unsubscribe users, etc. And best
news - although this service is $8/mo/list, for current clients (i.e.
CASI) it is free for two lists. (The URL for the $8/mo is below in
case you are interested in it for your own use.
I have had a number of complaints about the amount of email from the
CASILIST during active weather times. For this reason, I will be
splitting the CASILIST up into two parts. One will be all types of
current observations and storm reports, the other will be the regular
version of the CASILIST minus all those. This way the people who want
to see storm reports can, and the people who don't won't. Also, the
Storm-Report list will likely be fed automatically into the CASI site
automatically for use on the Recent Weather Events page and front page -
basically semi-live storm reports from the Members will be available on
the website without users having to post to more than one list or site.
This service, via Pair.Com (http://www.pairlist.com/), will be complete
March 1, 1999, but should be publicly available Feb. 1 1999, at which
time I will attempt to convert the CASILISTs over. You will receive a
CASI-ADMIN notice at that time. Meantime, hang in there.
--
==============================================================
Jesse Ferrell - Meteorologist/Web Dev. - j{at}weatherwatchers.org
Central Atlantic Storm Investigators - www.weatherwatchers.org
"Andy Warhol had it wrong, Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes
*and* have their own Web page." --William Shatner || ICQ No. 136832 ||