Karl F. Larsen wrote in a message to Mike Bilow:
KFL> Above is a great list of places to try. A nice feature of
KFL> list's are the location in the world is not important. The
KFL> computer must have a fast access to the internet, and
KFL> storage for lots of mail.
KFL> I could host the list on my computer by contacting my ISP
KFL> and paying for a constant ip mumber. So could you Joop. I
KFL> run a list but not from Linux. I wonder what software we
KFL> need? Bet we could find out...
I really try to stay out of these kinds of pointless arguments, but I feel
compelled to speak from experience on this one. Running a list server, and
certainly one with the size and visibility of VGER.RUTGERS.EDU, is a lot more
than just setting up a 486 box and installing Linux. I have never been able to
get even tolerable performance without hand-tuning sendmail.cf, often using
trial and error to see what settings reach the best efficiency.
An enormous amount of resources are consumed by foolishness, such as people who
subscribe from invalid addresses. Many recipient systems, especially
university mail servers, are so heavily overtaxed that merely sending mail to
them requires repeated attempts. Most people don't see this, because they may
only send one or two messages and they might notice an occasional delay.
However, a list administrator will get tired of constantly seeing the same few
recipients filling up his outbound queue.
Unsolicited bulk mail advertising also must be blocked from the list, since
every such message that leaks onto the list will be replied to by tens or even
hundreds of list subscribers griping and complaining, usually while quoting the
entire objectionable message. If the message in question advertises something
which is pornographic, the list maintainer may have anyone from the local
police to the State Department showing up at his door -- or at the door of his
boss and his ISP.
So, if you really want to try hosting an international mailing list from your
dial-up line and you think that all you really need is a static IP address,
then feel free to try it. I'm sure you will find it to be quite a learning
experience. Your ISP may find it a learning experience, too.
-- Mike, N1BEE
