[Mailman-Users] Member and password database

[Jim Tittsler]

On Mon, Nov 15, 2004 at 06:52:54PM +0000, PeteBell wrote:
> I am creating a website 'front end' for my new list which is run by 
> using Mailman and am running into logging in difficulties which would 
> be best worked around using my own logging-in system. However, I need 
> access to the members' email addresses/passwords database and 
> understand it is stored inside the mailman installation. Unfortunately 
> I do NOT have access to the actual mailman program as it is hosted as a 
> server-wide installation shared by all domains on the server, of which 
> I am but one.

Not having access to the mailman installation makes this *much*
more difficult.  One technique that is possible, but tricky to
get right, is to have your web front end manipulate the real
Mailman web interface.  Python's ClientCookie module or PHP's
CURL module provide tools for doing this, allowing your web
front end enter form data and "read" and manipulate result
pages before display to the end user.  It does take *careful*
scripting because you will want to handle the possible error
conditions that the Mailman web interface may present you.
(You probably will also want to eliminate direct access to the
underlying Mailman pages by end users in this scenario.)

> Does anyone have any experience of how to access this database and 
> somehow keep it sync'd with one of mine.

There are easier techniques if you have access to the Mailman
server.


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