re: list mail

[<mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'll be getting in touch with Jim Stone this weekend to see how much
time he needs to set things up on his end. Then I'll announce a date to
switch everything over to the new server. 

The AMC-List web site should operate as it does now. The exception will
be commands sent to the list and joining the list. Those pages will link
to the mail list site which has a built in easy to use interface for the
commands already. The main reason for this switch is that most of the
security features of the new software would have to be turned off to
allow entering commands remotely. Allowing remote commands is directly
related to some of the problems we've had on the list -- people being
susbscribed and unsubscribed without their knowledge, phishers signing
up then down-loading the user list, etc. None of that is allowed by the
new software, which has many built-in security features. I won't have to
babysit the moderation process either, as there is a built-in
authentication system that will reject most spammers and bogus
subscription requests right away. 

The new software also has the ability to moderate individual users, so
if someone gets out of line they don't have to be banned for a week or
so as a warning, they can be moderated for 30 days instead (longer since
most posts will only be delayed and maybe edited instead of not allowed
at all). What that means is an admin has to review and
allow/edit/disallow every post made by that person. I think that's a
much better solution for a first time or infrequent offender than a
temporary ban. It will delay posts, how much depending on when the
designated moderators have the time to review them, but unoffensive
posts can be allowed through. There will still be at least one formal
e-mail warning before this occurs, "formal" meaning it will clearly
state that the next step is moderation. I don't count a personal e-mail
I send asking someone to chill/drop it/whatever as a "formal" warning.
So there will be a minimum of two e-mails sent to an individual before
any action is taken, at least for a first offense. If it's the second
plus time in a short period, say 90 days or less, I may go directly to a
"formal" warning. 

Speaking of moderators, there will be at least three total (including
me) -- all anonymous except myself at this time. All moderators will
reveive mail sent to the moderator or host list address. That way when
there's a problem any of the three can take care of it. There should be
no delays more than 24-48 hours that way, and most things will be
handled sooner. 

Why anonymous moderators? Because if there are any problems with an
individual I signed up to handle it. I don't want anyone else getting
harrassed due to decisions made for the list. I know we went over the
possibility of an elected board or something like that, but the idea
looks good on paper only. I have a couple volunteers for the moderation
bit, and leaving them anonymous makes it easy for them to volunteer
(since I'll get any harrassment for anything they do -- I'm the only one
that will harrass them!). All I'll say is it's people I've known on the
list for a long time (so they've been on the list for a few years) and I
know for sure they won't interfere unless it becomes necessary, the same
as I do now. 

On March 9, 2006 mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Jennings [mailto:tomj@xxxxxxx] 
> Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 12:28 AM
> To: Swygert Francis G MSgt 436 CES/CECM; farna@xxxxxxx
> Subject: list mail
> 
> Sheesh, out of pure selfishness, let's switch over! :-) I'm not
getting
> half the list mail, easily. It seems random; I get only a sprinkling a
> day. I bet this is happening to others; this will kill the list.

Frank Swygert
farna@xxxxxxx