Re: Majordomo list restrictions

[Cameron Simpson <cs zip com au>]

| > Hi, I'm using Majordomo 1.94.4 as our list server. What I need to do, is
| > have one list that allows me to e-mail all the people registered on the mail
| > server, but only allow certain people to be able to send to that list.
| 
| My recollection is that you simply create a file such as listname.auth
| file in the /lists directory of majordomo. Put in that list the names of
| who can post (maybe only yourself). Then in the listname.config file edit
| 
| restrict_post = listname.auth
| 
| From this point on, only those in listname.auth can post to the list
| whereas everyone on listname gets the message.
| 
| This is a nice way to use Majordomo for mass mailings to clients or others
| who want to subscribe, say, to a weekly newsletter.

It is worth mentioning here that for lists which aren't simply
distributions (i.e. discussion groups like this one) you can name the
membership list in that directive. This is a very effective antispam
measure since the spammer must actually join the list to post to it.
(NB: some have actaully started doing this - I vet the joining people
these days for my lists, and there are automatic methods as well for
ensuring you're talking to a person).

The other thing to remember is that you can name multiple files in the config
file, eg:
	restrict_post = listname:listname.alternates
That says that list members can post, and also the people named in the
file listname.alternates. I use this version to accomodate people who
read the list at just one spot (often home) but post from home and
work.  You put their preferred reading address in the list, and their
other addresses in listname.alternates. Tres useful.
--
Cameron Simpson, DoD#743        cs zip com au    http://www.zip.com.au/~cs/

If you can't make it out of coathanger wire, you just aren't thinking.
	- John Whitmore