We are seeing a large number of problems with member email servers that cause members to experience "bounces". I still recommend gMail <http://mail.google.com> as the best free program. I have yet to have any problems beetween their servers and ours.
Basically members score a "bounce" any day where at least one message can't be delivered. This can happen for a number of reasons, but mostly it's due to a member's server not responding to our server. After a member's bounce score exceeds 7 over a period of 2-3 weeks they are "suspended". The system alerts members to this problem with at least three messages before unsubscribing (deleteing) member from the system. I tried increasing the bounce score in late 2006, but ran into lists sucking up huge amounts of server resources. This also impacts lists and clients I have using this same server. So the bounce thing is a "survival" method that is automated and critical to a healthy server and happy clients. For those interested here's a run down on continuing problems I see: SCHOOL DISTRICT AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICE EMAIL PROVIDERS Many schools choose to perform maintenance on their servers and it's not uncommon for them to be down for a number of days or parts of days. We also see a lot of "time outs" from these servers (like not answering the phone). If you're not going to be checking mail almost daily, then don't use these for list messagesw over the summer. Schools also install new and (ahem) improved SPAM protection that will often label list messages as SPAM and prevent delivery. COMCAST, YAHOO, AOL We are currently unable to send any mail to Comcast users - this has just happened. Somehow Comcast has "blacklisted" our server's IP. I checked with all the major blacklists and our IP does NOT appear. I've tried to explain this and work with Comcast, but have yet to see a reply from them. All Comcast members have been "bounced" off the list over the last couple days. YAHOO members will often have messages from our list delayed for a day or two because of a problem with their system's ability or willingness to process list email. I frequently see Yahoo messages waiting for several days becuase Yahoo servers can't or won't process the emails. AOL is sparodic, but has been the least problematic of these three in the last few weeks. OK - so a bit of venting on my part, but I did want curious people to know what some of the issues are. We do our best to get mail to members, but there are SO MANY issues that are beyond my control and also your control. These issues cause "bounces" which are generally due to "time outs", down servers, or SPAM protection filters/programs. You can help by making sure that your ISP or email provider knows that you want mail from literacyworkshop.org and IP 65.99.221.16 (you can ask for these to be "white listed"). As always, if you haved any problems with list messages and membership, just email me. thanks, Keith Mack Web Admin for Mosaic List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Quoting Janelle Dorr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > I've been bouncing e-mails on this list and I'm not sure why. This > happened with my comcast e-mail address as well so I switched it to my > school e-mail...any thoughts or suggestions? > janelle > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
