Newsletter

[Freebird]

I thought that I had read somewhere that you had actually released a newsletter mod. I don't see it here though. Do you have one and if so, could you please provide some description of the features?

Thanks

[Greg]

Back when I had modified community bulletin, commbull. But it tunred out to have issues I didn't want to deal with. It needed a whole rewrite.

I believe someone picked it up and released a paid version, but I can't recall who.

I have my own version of course, but it's not 100% my code, so I can't post it. If I recode the database stuff it'll be all mine. It'll have to go on the to do list.

But it's nice and uses SMTP mail in batches. Unlike the other mailers, it doesn't tax the server at all.

[Freebird]

Thanks for the reply. Doesn't sound like it will be anything available in the near future so I guess I need to start looking around.

[Big Dan]

There's two around:

I bought commbull which is the paid version of what Noppid is talking about. It's $10.

Then there's another one by the vB Geek which is supposed to be feature packed. It's $50.

All in all commbull gets the job done but feels hacked together and you cannot do much to the layout without modifying the confusingly coded templates which can be a PITA if you don't know what you're doing.

I'd planned on purchasing the newsletter hack from vB Geek as all his other work is top notch but there was some confusion weather or not he would be supporting it due to personal problems.

Alternatively, you can forgo all the hacks and generation a mailing list in the ACP then paste it into the BCC of your mail client and write out your own newsletters.

[Freebird]

Yes, that is about the same info I've found elsewhere. I also see that VBGeek is not even selling his right now until he feels that he can support it.

[Greg]

I was thinking of a simple area for text, the latest 10 threads and the top 10 threads.

The choice of what user group to run under rather than each user id and pop it all out as a text version and an html version that looks like your site with mime determining at each members email client determining what which will be viewed.

Each one could be personalized for each member.

Feedback?

[Freebird]

Sounds about right. Also maybe mini stats for the site and upcoming calendar events.

[Big Dan]

Sounds like a good idea, Noppid. I'll be the first in line, commbull doesn't send to half my members!! I just sent out a newsletter yesterday and a good number didn't get it.

[Greg]

My mail goes though to the server, that much I know. I also use SPF DNs records too. So, that is working out.

What's a big PITA is the bounces. I have half way coded an IMAP app to deal with that and it finds bounced mail easily. Now I need a couple queries to move the bounced member to members awaiting verification.

I now have 3 projects on the burner. So, I guess I'll have a busy couple weeks.

Plan on these things happening. Baby needs a new pair of shoes.

[Big Dan]

With commbull it's weird because when I send it shows all the addresses it's sending to and all appear to be there. Yet many of my members say they've never received one and they get other mail from the board so I don't think it's an over zealous spam filter.

Yeah bounces are a PITA. I got about 20 back yesterday. I like to keep my member list somewhat accurate so mails that bounce, if the member never activated or has zero posts and hasn't been on in a long time I delete the account.

I don't know if you follow the .org but there was someone making trying to make a system that monitors an IMAP account for bounces and they automatically moves the associated account to another usergroup and tries sending a reactivation email every so many days. Might be something to look into.

Speaking of email, I think it would be awesome if we could specify one email address for outgoing board messages, reply notices, etc and a different one for send message.