Group Emails

[Missilier]

This could be for the Shu or anyone out there that has a source.  I had an ISP provider that provided me with a platform called Parallels on his web server.  I could login and update email accounts on it but the best part was the ability to develop mailing list.  I had a list called local@vfwpostXXXX and I could add the some 100 members of the post that lives in the metro area, I then had one for news@vfwpostxxxx.org that went out to all 375 members that have email accounts, I also had one for the Ladies Aux.  But now my ISP provider has closed shop and I am spinning on how to get a new service as cheap as possible.  Was just wondering if the Shu had a means within their service to provide something that would be like newspost?@myvfwweb.org that could be offered.  I don't want email accounts for all of my members, I just want to be able to sent up mailing list.  The Parallels system allows you to use your desktop email system to send to the list address and the server then sends out individual messages to all of the users, which avoids the spam problem.  Of course my ISP was giving me the service for free, but looking for another source here.

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[Chris Weber 5468]

Hey Bob, we tried on numerous occasions to help you on this situation. Why will you not take the advise given to you from your Department Webmaster? This has been going on for 3 years now.

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[TheShu]

The VFW WebMail system has the ability for you to set up groups for emails.  I'm assuming your old system should allow you to export your current lists as .opml files.  Just run an export on your old system.  Set up your groups in VFW WebMail and then import the .opml file into your mailbox and attach those addresses accordingly.  Then when you want to send out a mass email, just set your group name in the "To" field and the webmail will handle the rest.

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[Missilier]

Chris, I don't appreciate your reply and I won't comment any further.

Shu, don't believe 300 emails added to webmail would be a good thing, I can see that you would probably be hit again as a spammer.  What we used was an email server on a Linux server called Paralleles.  I would send an email called local@vfwpost7356.org out of my personal Outlook screen.  The email would go to the Linux server in Dallas, Tx and then send the email out one at a time to the some 300 plus email accounts.  I know for instance the webMail was targeted as a spammer with my email company sbcglobal.net as I could not get webMail forwardings for a long time.  Believe that has been been corrected.  Many of the email accounts I have are military emails and they will reject an email that has multiple addresses.  That is why I preferred what I had, but that service is no longer available because the company that had it has suspended business.

Robert Eckerle
Retired Information Technology Director
Platte County Sheriff's Office

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[Missilier]

Forgot to add using webMail the groups or mail list would be attached only to my email account.  What we had allowed any member of the mail list to send emails to all the members of the list.  We restricted that to the Commander, Quartermaster, Adjutant, and certain committee chairs.  This also allowed for one administrator to manage the mailing list.

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[Missilier]

It was almost like having a corporate Exchange or GroupWise server for your personal use.  Managing all of the emails of the Post and setting up mailing list by type of service needed and sharing it with the users.  I was at one time a CNA.

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[TheShu]

Bob, forgive me for misunderstanding.  As I understand it, you are looking for something more along the lines of an email listserver. 

At this point in time, we don't have any listserv capabilities on the network so about the best I can recommend is to go to either Yahoo or Google Groups.  I haven't had much of a chance to investigate Yahoo groups but I played around with Google groups just a bit and I think it has all the features you are looking for...ability to run just as an email listserv and/or discussion group, ability to import your current lists, restricted signups to keep out spammers, admin groups, etc.  And its all free.  www.google.com/groups

That may or may not work for your purposes but it's about the best I can offer at the moment.  I'll let you know if we ever start a listserv service on the network.

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[Chris Weber 5468]

From the Zimbra Help tab;
Creating group contact lists

The Contact Group List feature allows you to create contact lists that contain multiple mailing addresses.  When you select a group contact name, everyone whose address is included in the group list is automatically added to the address field of the message.
To create contact group lists

You can select addresses from your company directory (GAL) and from your address books, and you can type in addresses. Note: email addresses you type are not verified. 

    On the toolbar, click New and select New Contact Group. The New Contact Group form is displayed.

If you want to create the group list in an address book other than Contacts, before you start, select the address book and then click New>Contact Group.

    Note: You can move a contact group to another list after it is created.

    In the Group Name field, type the name of this group list. 

    To add members to this group, in the Find field, type a name and then select whether to search in the GAL or in your personal and shared contacts. Click Search.

    Names that match your entry are listed in the box below. Select the names to enter and click Add, the names are added to the Group Members list.

You can also add email addresses directly in the Group Members list box. Typed addresses can be separated by a comma (,), semicolon ( or Return to start the address on a new line.

    Click Save on the toolbar. The new group contact is added to your address book.

The icon  groupcontasticon.png shows that the contact name is a group contact.

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[Missilier]

Chris, obviously you didn't read TheShu's comment.  He understands what I am looking for, not you.  I know how to setup groups within webmail if I wanted to use that service.  I DON'T.  This case is closed, TheShu handled my question.

When you get off your high horse, perhaps some time we could talk sanely.

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[Missilier]

To The Shu, thanks for your help!!

Google Groups is a mess, tried several ways and just could not get it to work.  Their Business program I could never get into to determine the pricing.  What I could found looked like it was going to cost big time.

What I decided to do is go to Constant Contacts.  It is designed for email marketing, but can be adapted quite nicely for just general emailing.  They allow different list and it works quite well.  Their pricing is very nice as well for not-for-profits.  500 or less email address for just $10.50 a month.  When we have over 300 emails that we send the newsletter versus sending snail mail to over 500 members it is quite a savings.

Again thanks for your direction.

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[Chris Weber 5468]

Chris, obviously you didn't read TheShu's comment.  He understands what I am looking for, not you.  I know how to setup groups within webmail if I wanted to use that service.  I DON'T.  This case is closed, TheShu handled my question.

When you get off your high horse, perhaps some time we could talk sanely.

Didn't know I was on the "High Horse". I did read Shu's comments, I was adding the tools of the Webmail for those who wish to use this fine free system. For Newsletters, one can also set up mailing lists to distribute the Newsletters from your Post Free Website as well.
Though this system is not perfect (as nothing ever is), it is what we have and we are growing into it. To do so, one must use what is at hand to gain the experience and confidence in its application.
Make good reports and postings on the Free Websites and get Comrades of your Posts / Districts to regularly visit your sites. Link to Facebook, Twitter, and a host of other venues. There are a lot of ways to distribute the information.
I make mistakes and I rectify them when I can. Dismissing readily available free tools is one mistake I will not make.
Whose high horse?

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