[Mailman-Users] New user - Mailman question

[Richard Barrett]

On 20 Aug 2004, at 20:39, Charles Mikecz Vamossy wrote:

> HI, I am a new member of the list and a list administrator responsible 
> for two lists.  Frankly I am struggling with some of the features and 
> functions and I thought I would ask "my elders" for some guidance.
>
> Our lists are very simple: we distribute weekly information to members 
> about our organization's programs.  Our members sign themselves up 
> automatically, receive a confirmation request and when they respond, 
> they get a welcome letter.  Only two people (who are also the 
> administrators) can send postings.  Letters sent by other members and 
> non-members should be rejected automatically, with an explanation.  
> (They can write to our organization directly...)
>
> The problem is that non-members have apparently written postings and 
> we, laboring under the impression that if we do nothing, their letters 
> will get deleted, did in fact do nothing - and the letters appeared on 
> the list.  Apparently, we are told by the folks who run the lists for 
> us, there is a "set period of quarantine", and when that expires, the 
> letters are treated as approved.  This is news to us, and we are 
> unable to find any reference to it in any documentation.

No version of MM since I started using it with version 2.0.3 has 
behaved this way so it is news to me too. Held postings will be held 
indefinitely with MM sender regular reminders to the list admins that 
there are held postings.

You do not say what version of MM you are running (or rather is being 
run on your behalf). If it is MM 2.1.x you should be able to use the 
Privacy options on the web admin GUI senders filter page for the list 
to arrange for postings from anyone other than your nominated list 
posters automatically rejected or discarded. Presumably you have 
already set moderation on for all your subscribers.

Is it possible someone with list admin access approved the postings and 
the explanation you have received is just trying to explain that away 
by positing some non-existent MM feature?

>
> Can you help us and tell us where to find information on this?  Are 
> there any parameters we can set differently?  Is there anyone out 
> there with a similar problem and how do you handle it?
>
> many thanks in advance
>
> Charles