In regards to the original question in allowing file access, at least wit 1.8d,
you can set the editing permissions of catalog files to an individual email
address.  That way they have access to edit and PUT the files without them
having to be list owners.

Example Entry:

<listname>.ICQNUMBERS = PRIVATE(<listname>) [log in to unmask]

If I am reading the manual correctly, in order to give yourself (the owner)
permission to also put the file, you need to use a comma separator for the last
param,  [log in to unmask], OWNER(<listname>)

Randy