Dear all:

I've thought about what I could do about the structure of the list to
fend off the terrible hassles we've been having with the listserv and
have some proposals and some updates.

First, the update:
*I deleted what the software reported to me as trouble addresses after
notifying the addressees, and this did solve the problem temporarily.
However, when one of the problem addresses appeared back on the list,
the problem appeared again.  I deleted the address again.

Again, the virus problem is with a specific computer from which mail to
the list is being sent.  If I closed the list and re-created it using
the same list of over 100 subscribers, the problem would not
necessarily go away (plus the time involved would eat my lunch).  This
is because we operate with an "open" list.  When I set this up four
years ago, that was the option that offered the most convenience to
subscribers.  You could post messages from any computer as long as you
had the address, now [log in to unmask]  People could also
independently subscribe to the list if they knew about it, and
unsubscribe themselves once on.  The current listserv also offers
subscribers the chance to review archived messages by month if they go
to http://lists.ou.edu/  and type in aejmac-L in the space for "name of
list."

Now the proposals:
* I want to close the list in whatever degrees are needed to block
viruses.  There are some choices here.

Right now, effective immediately, I have set commands for the list that
will only recognize mail from those who are subscribed to the list.
This means that, if you have more than one e-mail address, you can only
post messages using the one address to which you are subscribed (unless
you want to have a double subscription...a couple of members do
already).  No one outside of our list can post any information, as some
with job notices, etc. have done in the past.  Subscribers can still go
to the archives, and unsubscribe themselves.

My next step would be to block all messages to the list and not let any
through until I've reviewed them and sent them on.  If any message has
a virus, I'll get the notice first before it's posted.  I don't mind
this extra administrative step at this point, but it would depend upon
the volume of mail.  The downside is that things that need to be posted
quickly would be held up until I could get to it.  I am checking to see
if this oversight would apply only to messages, so as to still allow
subscribers to search the archives and leave the list.

*Idea: I could look into adding someone else as a co-moderator who also
would have the ability to screen messages.  It would need to be someone
with a very good virus protection system on their computer.

Let's see how this first level control works.  The list should be clean
now so please share your thoughts on the list.

Finally, believe it or not, it could be worse.  I am on another AEJ
list that apparently has "sold" or "given" access of our names to
outside vendors.  Consequently, we have been spammed with drug offers,
financial scams, and products that promise to enlarge certain parts of
the anatomy....not fun.

Not to worry.  I haven't gotten any such offers.  Yet.

Sincerely,
Your list-servant,
Meta




Meta G. Carstarphen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of Oklahoma
860 Van Vleet Oval--Rm. 101
Norman, OK   73019-2051
PHONE: (405) 325-5227
FAX: (405) 325-7565
E-MAIL: [log in to unmask]