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Web Hosting
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Many web servers that charge for their services also offer mailing list setup to their customers. The official DOA mailing list, the DOA-Satellite, is hosted by aros.net. You should make sure you have the options to approve/deny subscribers, block or unsubscribe troublemakers, and even preview and approve posts before they hit the list (the latter known as 'moderating' a list.) If for whatever reason your site host cannot offer you a mailing list for your DOA page, you have a choice of several free list servers, which are described below in detail. We've also provided links to the mail server home pages, so you can sign up right away and get your list going in seconds.
One good thing to bear in mind when setting up a mailing list is that it should be original. There's already an official DOA list, and another called deadoralive, which is hosted by Onelist.com. If you tailor yours to a specific audience or purpose, you're more likely to get subscribers. For example:
A foreign language- DOA news, info, discussions in a language other than English would be a welcome and gratefully recieved feature on foreign-language sites, many of whose visitors cannot appreciate the other lists.
Now for your host options!
ONELIST.COM- This one is simply the best. (It's also the host for the other DOA mailing list, deadoralive.) When you register for free, you can moderate your own list and/or join other lists hosted by the site. You can have a moderated list, which allows you to approve posts before they're sent out, or an announcement list, which doesn't allow subscribers to post but is ideal for page update bulletins. Subscribers can choose to recieve list messages one by one, recieve a daily digest of all messages sent out that day in one lump email, or read list postings via the community archives.
COOL LIST- Like ONELIST, it's easy to set up an account, and your list can be active within five minutes. You have the same administrative options as those offered by Onelist. We've heard some complaints about posts to Cool List lists taking long to appear, and the unsubscribe option doesn't always work, but no operation is perfect.
LIST BOT- List Bot has been around a long time. It has all the options available to Onelist and Cool List users, plus a programme called List Bot Gold, which, for a yearly fee, allows you to analyze subscriber stats, etc. Not a feature you'll likely need, but List Bot offers an attractive free package nonetheless.
MILOMAIL- another neat list server site. Also allows you to post pictures to your list, which many do not.
TOPICA- a newcomer to the list service field, but growing fast. Offers the same options and moderator privileges as the other major sites.
Have fun!!
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Mailing lists are a cool way of holding discussions about DOA, communicating news, items for sale and trade,etc, and broadcasting site updates.