Mailing list set-up in OS X Server.

Question

Mailing list set-up in OS X Server.

Dear members:

I have been looking at different options for setting up a few mailing list groups. One of the best options I have found in terms of functionality and features is Listserv software but it is very expensive and is only available in a Unix version (no OS X available) which would require me to install it using terminal.

Two other options are DirectMail and OS X Server. According to the info page on Apple's web site setting up a mailing list in OS X Snow Leopard Server is a fairly simple thing to do. At least that is what they say.

According to your experiences how simple is it to set up a few mailing lists in OS X ? Please consider that I am an advanced user but without any advanced training in networking or programming.

Thank you in advance,

JRC

Powermac G5 dual 2.0 GHz 4.5 GB RAM, (2) int 1.5 TB HD, 23" cinema display, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Powerbook G4 1.33. GHz 17", 1.0 GB RAM, 80 GB HD

Posted on Sep 30, 2009 9:51 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 1, 2009 4:26 AM in response to apple_customer

Hi.

Mailman is installed on OSX by default and is a great mailing list management tool, it is well documented in both the 10.6 documentation and on the mailman home... it is a GOOD tool, with great command line control as well as a reasonable GUI.

however since upgrading to 10.6 i have been having problems when i create groups which are supposed to have mailing lists... the lists and wiki's are no longer created... integrated lists are very important for us as are the mailman lists which are not part of our internal security.

i am currently trouble shooting the mailman/10.6 integration and would be happy to hear from others who are having the same kind of issues.

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Answer 2

Camelot

Level 9

58,581 points

Oct 1, 2009 7:28 AM in response to apple_customer

What's missing in your post is the functionality that's important to you.

Mac OS X Server includes Mailman - one of the more common/popular list managers out there. However, no one can tell you whether it will suit your needs since we don't know what it is you want to do, nor do we know what 'features' of Listserv you find appealing that aren't in Mailman.

In short, Mailman works pretty well. It's reasonably-well integrated into Mac OS X Server/Server Admin. It can handle huge lists, has a web-based front-end (including user management tools), but whether it will work for you is completely unknown.

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Answer 3

Oct 1, 2009 10:08 PM in response to Ashley Drees

Hi, Ashley.

I am sorry to hear about your problems with Snow Leopard. The fact that you make the positive comments that you make about Mailman makes me feel a little more hopeful about using it. One thing I wasn't able to find on its web site is good and well illustrated documentation.

What if I were to stay with 10.5 ? As far as server software goes, is there a big different between 10.5 server and 10.6 server ? Is the creation of mailing lists in 10.6 much easier than in 10.5 as the information on Apple's web site suggests ? Or are they both very much the same in what mailing lists are concerned ?

Thank you for your reply and helpful answer.

Best regards,

Joseph

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Answer 4

Oct 1, 2009 10:19 PM in response to Camelot

Hi, Camelot.

You are obviously right. I should have been more detailed about what exactly it is that I am looking for.

One of the things I found attractive in Listserv was the friendly interface for managing lists with all types of statistics and how simple it seems to be to manage them.

Considering I am not at the level of expertise that most on this forum are I need an application that is not only simple to use but also simple to install. Listserv would require me to install it as a Unix application using the terminal and this is something I can't do. One of the things that Listserv provides is the ability to look at statistics and information about the different lists hosted as well as the option to maintain a searchable archive that can be either accessed only by the administrator and/or moderator or by all users. As long as I can have access to similar features in Mailman the application should work for me.

Another important question: Is there any benefit in using Snow Leopard (10.6) or Leopard is just about the same as far as mailing lists are concerned ? I have a Powermac G5 dual 2.0 GHz that I will be upgrading soon. My plan was to use this machine as my server but since Snow Leopard doesn't run on Power PC machines this wouldn't work. In case Leopard is just as good and provides just about the same features and functionality I might be able to use this machine and avoid additional expenses. What do you think ? Would I benefit from running Snow Leopard server ? Is this really that much easier to use than Leopard as Apple claims on its web site ?

I have never installed and configured a server before so this is unchartered territory for me. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Joseph

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Answer 5

Oct 3, 2009 8:28 AM in response to apple_customer

~ Joseph ~

i have now resolved all my issues with the mail list functions on SL... and i am pretty confused as to why it is done like it is now. done... BUT... there are now TWO ways of creating lists in SL 10.6

1, the mailman way, which is a proper mail list server and can be relied on and has sensible mail handling and bounce control and aparantly no longer linked to workgroup manager or OD

2, the apple-wiki tool which uses a postfix alias populated with a group membership on creation.

SO... if you need a group that is linked to a OD group and you do not mind the complete lack of management and the fact that the mailing list will be called group-wiki@host.com then use mailing lists linked to wiki...

OR

Use mailman... 10.6 has now removed the link between groups and mailman lists.. and you will soon loose the workgroup manager control (that no longer works) for integration with mailman lists... if you use mailman you have an industrial strength mailing list tool that you can sync with various other DB sources (inc LDAP) and has sensible bounce and mail handling...

it took me a while yesterday to finally realise what has really changed and what i need to do to work as normal.

My plan is to create a group in workgroup manager called "Mailing Lists" and then with a perl script interrogate OD for groups that are in my "Master mailing list group" and then sync the OD group user list emails with the list of the same name (as any group in the OD group "mailing lists") in MailMan.... which will give me OD managed group mailing lists again and also give me groupname@host.com for my list name...

i object to have to call a mailing list with a "-wiki" extension to the name, and i would like to automatically have people added to mailing lists when they are put in groups...

i am still working on all of this and i hope my findings are of some help.

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Answer 6

Nov 2, 2009 12:35 AM in response to Ashley Drees

Hello, Ashley.

Thank you for your helpful reply and please forgive me for taking this long to answer your post.

The description you shared of the required process to set up a mailing list in OS X seems rather complex. My problem is the fact that I don't have nearly as much experience in setting up a server as you do and would like to find a solution that is almost error proof. I would certainly prefer to use the built-in resources in OS X instead of having to purchase additional software. The problem I see is the fact the setting this up may be a little above my head.

Do you know of a simple step-by-step guide I can look at and refer to that would show me exactly how to set this up ?

Thank you again for your helpful post and great answers.

Best regards,

Joseph

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Answer 7

Nov 22, 2009 8:11 AM in response to Ashley Drees

Hi Ashley,

I was wondering if you could help me with perl script. I'm trying to create a mailman, it works partially on web, until moderator gets the authorization it works but doesn't reach the user post approval

Thanks,
Annu

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Answer 8

Dec 20, 2009 1:49 PM in response to Ashley Drees

Hi again, Ashley.

First I wish to thank you again for the taking the time to write a really detailed reply to the post I placed a while ago in the Apple forum. I've review your response and wanted to ask you some additional questions as I am about to set-up a new server.

My own workstation is getting a little outdated (a Mac G5 dual processor 2 GHz) and the time has come to replace it. I also need a server (more so than I need a new workstation) so I have to make a choice.

These are my options:

1. Use my existing G5 as a server and buy a new workstation that is faster for my personal use.

2. Keep the G5 as my workstation a while longer and buy a Mac mini server with Snow Leopard installed.

The problem with approach 1 is the fact that the G5 would not be able to run Snow Leopard Server since it as Power PC chip instead of the newer Intels.

So here are the questions:

1. Is Snow Leopard significantly improved (the Server version, that is) over Leopard to make it really worthwhile ? I have seen Apple's pages on Snow Leopard and they seem to emphasize how much easier it it to run Snow Leopard server. But is this really true ? Considering I don't have that much experience with networking and server administration I would consider anything that makes the process easier as long as it is not just marketing hype.

2. One of the things I really need to do is to set-up mailing list on this server. It seems you ran into some problems as you were trying to set-up yours. Have you been able to resolve these issues ? How easy will it be for me to set-up the mailing lists ? Is the GUI friendly and intuitive enough to allow someone with little experience to do it ?

I hope this e-mail reaches you as I would really like to get your feedback on these questions.

Thank you,

Joseph

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