Greetings.
We are prototyping the possibility of running several worldwide lists
from our VM/CMS host.  We recently migrated one of our lists from a Unix box
which used Listprocessor to one that now uses Majordomo.
 
Now we are investigating LISTSERV since we already own it and it appears to
have more potential for growing into an enterprise-like system.
 
1.  While doing some testing, I managed to get "suspended" from the list.  Not
good, since I'm a co-owner.  Luckily, I had already set up another subscription
on another machine.  From the other machine, I used the "SERVE" command to
unsuspend me, but evidentally it didn't work.
Q:  How can I get unsuspended as the owner?
 
2.  Although the literature (FAQs, etc) indicate that LISTSERV is the cadillac
of MLMs, having started first with Listprocessor and later Majordomo forces
me to try to related LISTSERV to these other MLMs.
Q:  Anyone know of a functions mapping between these MLMs to LISTSERV?
Specifically,
  a.  ACK setting on Listprocessor will send the senders note back to the
sender, while LISTSERV only says that it was delivered to the list.  Is there
a similar setting with LISTSERV?
  b.  Its unclear how digests work.  In Listprocessor, one can use the SET
command for digests.  In Majordomo, one can subscribe to the digest sublist.
How does this work with LISTSERV -- sorry, but the documentation I've seen
is rather cryptic :-(, but I guess its something that one must get used to.
  c.  With summer here, how do "postpone" notes to subscribers so that they
remain subscribed, but simply do not received mail during the postponement
period?  This is helpful so that those using the REVIEW command are still
able to "see" the subscribers.
  d.  How do you set up the archive database?  When I did INFO DATABASE
the returned message indicated that this was not available.
  e.  Is there a way for me to edit the entire subscription list so that
I can go in and not only add and delete subscribers, but can also modify
such things as individual subscriber settings (eg the results of SET).
For example, if I have 10 people who I want to set certain options for,
in Listprocessor, I would GET the subscriber list, edit it, and PUT it
back.   Can I do this with LISTSERV?
 
Q:  Anyone have any experience with using LISTSERV's strategy of assigning
subscribers to sub-domains as a way to enhance efficiency?  For example,
if we have several subscribers in Germany, I understand that we should
consider setting up a sub-domain in Germany and have the Germany subscribers
become "hosted" off that sub-domain so that the Main domain simply sends the
notes to that sub-domain which in turn routes the notes to the various users
in Germany?
 
Q: (related to previous) If we go with the sub-domain strateg, does this mean
we have to purchase another copy of LISTSERV.  And, are there any compatibility
problems between operating system -- VM/CMS and others which can also run
LISTSERV?
Q:  Suppose the name of the list is ABC.  New subscribers are told they can
issue a INDEX ABC command which will then return to them ABC FILELIST.  As
they look at the ABC FILELIST, they will see ABC NOTEBOOK.  If they
subsequently GET ABC NOTEBOOK, they will be for quite a surprise since,
although we have only begun to test, then ABC NOTEBOOK file is becoming
a large file (by email reader standards).  This is almost as bad as a mail
bomb!  Any thoughts?
 
Q:  The list manager (guy who maintains all the lists) told me about using
some JCL streams at the beginning and end of any requests for services.
Question:  Is this a standard practice?  It seems a bit unweidly for the
novice subscribers to have to include "mystery code" embedded within their
notes.
 
Q:  Has anyone played around with the JCL code and found some to be more
efficient than others?
 
Q:  In reading the MLM FAQ, I've seen quite a few sources of information
related to commands and various installation instructions.  Any comments?
 
Q: On issueing certain commands, I get a returned message asking me to include
the command AD PW (or something to that affect) before I issue my request.
Since I'm a co-owner, why are they asking me for a password?  I tried including
the pw=the_list_password but LISTSERV insisted that I go back and ADD PW, why?
 
Closing comment:  My inclination was to tell the Pentagon to forget about
LISTSERV and go with the free MLM versions out there.  However, the FAQ
in the MLM USENET group seems to indicate that LISTSERV is much more powerful
and robust than the others.  I want to see for myself, so pls pardon these
rather lengthy questions from a novice LISTSERV owner who hopes to quickly
become non-novice.  We have BIG plans for this service, but want to make
sure things are all tested before we go too far and have to undo or migrate
to another MLM.
 
Cheers,
Bruce Bachus
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