Are you looking for one-way communication?
If so, a listserv (strictly speaking) wouldn't really be required.
You may be able to get by with something like this:
http://www.phplist.com/details
It's a web app that stores all the subscribed addresses in a database,
you build your message via web interface, and pick the list to send to.
I would imagine you could grant access to the lists on a per user
basis for sending. Also, you'd just have to add the IP address of the
web server to the exception list in the spam filter, once.
For SMS, you could just have users subscribe using the format listed
here
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/939/sms_email_cingular_nextel_sprint_tmobile_verizon_virgin/
(and other places)
It is a php web app, so I'm sure you could install it on Windows using
some form of WAMP package. http://www.phplist.com/system_requirements
Even if you want a full listserv package, rather than web-based... there
are some real easy solutions, if you can delve into the Linux realm. It
might be better to spend a half-day following howto's, than spending the
dollars.
Probably, the easiest to setup would be an SME Server using ezmlm list
management. It's about as point and click as you can get, once you get
past the standard install procedure.
Happy to help!
Later,
Abe
Kenny, David wrote:
I am curious what other districts are using to communicate en-masse via
Email and/or SMS text messaging with parents (eg, addresses on hosts
outside your School District)? Particularly, we use windows servers –
so those are most palatable to other technicians here in D100.
We’ve never before communicated in this way with parents and I am
personally getting crushed with making rate exemptions for outbound
Email through the content filter. I’d like to set up some kind of
ListServ apparatus whereby parents can sign themselves up to receive
Email/SMS Text and I don’t have to make 1000 exemptions to the outbound
message rate filtering of our AntiSpam appliance.
I’ve looked into the eponymous ListServ software and have received a
quote from them. In a nutshell, they offer 2 products:
ListServ lite -- ~$1300 purchase price + $675/yr for updates and
support (eg, $2k for year 1, $675/yr for subsequent years)
ListServ Classic -- ~$4000 purchase price + $2025/yr for updates and
support (eg, $6k for year 1, $2025/yr for subsequent years)
I realize that I’m still going to have to make exemptions for the
outbound antispam appliance, but I’d like to make those exceptions
(suspend outbound rate blocking) for a few known source email addresses
rather than 1000 teachers/administrators.
Your thoughts?
*David P. Kenny*
Network Administrator
Belvidere Community Unit School District 100
Belvidere, IL
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