Email Mirror of Web Forum

[Daniel Widdis]

Starting a new thread here, a spinoff of the RSS Feed discussion.

My objective is to get this forum set up as a 'primary' spot for the Dixonary Game, while still allowing users to read/reply to threads via an email client.

I had thought about doing this myself via an intermediate server poasting to a yahoo groups, but there are better options, specifically:

There are vBulletin hacks available to send all posts to email, and fetch email replies from a pop3 server.

NNTP Gateway for Usenet ( Newsgroups ), Mailing Lists supports sending forum messages to a mailing list.

vB Email Reply 0.7BETA fetches emails from a pop3 account and posts them.

Now we just need our wonderful admins to install these! (He says, laughing at how easy that sounds and how hard it will probably be.)

[Daniel Widdis]

Originally Posted by Daniel Widdis

NNTP Gateway for Usenet ( Newsgroups ), Mailing Lists supports sending forum messages to a mailing list.

Actually, reading more about that, it looks like it does the reading messages as well. And claims to have an automatic installation.

[Judy G. Russell]

It's on the list to be looked at this weekend.

[Andrew B.]

Originally Posted by Judy G. Russell

It's on the list to be looked at this weekend.

I installed this. It wasn't too hard. Set up the email group to talk with it. That wasn't too bad. Then I got sidetracked, and never got to the point of turning the whole thing on. So we never tested it. But it looks like you will be the one to give it a shot.

[Daniel Widdis]

Originally Posted by Andrew B.

I installed this.

Woohoo!

[Judy G. Russell]

I'll be sure to call on you for help in I run into problems!!

[Andrew B.]

Originally Posted by Judy G. Russell

I'll be sure to call on you for help in I run into problems!!

Heck, I might try to learn from your experience. I ran out of steam, and it just sits there. But maybe this will get me focused again.

[Judy G. Russell]

Between the two of us (and whatever other technical help we can enlist) we ought to be able to get it working.

[woodswell]

Originally Posted by Judy G. Russell

Between the two of us (and whatever other technical help we can enlist) we ought to be able to get it working.

Judy, Finally got some time to register and get in here - now to catch up on messages!

You might find out who the Pets Forum is using for vBulletin Support. They seem to be quick about fixing problems and adding freatures. I'm sure many of the things that are wanted there (colored test, fonts, pictures, avatars and animated smilies) would not be welcome here, but whoever it is seems to be very familiar with the software - http://www.thepetsforums.com/

It's really interesting to see that all the forums leaving CS that I care to follow are going with vBulletin so far...

Anne Wright

[Judy G. Russell]

I've thought about trying to get the Pets Forum folks and Andrew and I all together for tech support for each other!

[woodswell]

Originally Posted by Judy G. Russell

I've thought about trying to get the Pets Forum folks and Andrew and I all together for tech support for each other!

It might be worth it since all us former CISers are looking for similar features. And just think, then ya'll could offer the service of customizing vBulletin for more CD refugee forums! I'm sure there will be more...

[Guerri Stevens]

You need a SYSOP forum!

Guerri

[Judy G. Russell]

You know... I've been thinking the same thing...

[Franca]

It's really interesting to see that all the forums leaving CS that I care to follow are going with vBulletin so far...

Yes, same here.

[Bill Hirst]

Hey, you've got an avatar. That's the first one I've seen on this forum. It's cool.

[Andrew B.]

Thanks. :-)

[Judy G. Russell]

Daniel, is this all you'll need? I don't want to go with more than one hack at a time... (with my luck, I'll break something I can't fix...).

[Daniel Widdis]

Originally Posted by Judy G. Russell

Daniel, is this all you'll need?

According to the documentation I can see, yes.

Also, this one is a version 2.3xx something, while the other hack was a 0.7 something... in other words, beta.

Note that I have no idea how to configure it... I would presume it comes with its own helpfiles and such when you install it. So you're on your own setting it up.

[Judy G. Russell]

Okay, I'll work on this tomorrow.

[Daniel Widdis]

Originally Posted by Judy G. Russell

Daniel, is this all you'll need?

Judy,

First, I believe that NNTP gateway is all you'll need. The link I posted claims that that hack "Handles both newsgroup posts and mailing lists". We'll be using the mailing list option.

It also says that the software "retrieves messages from a pop3 account and import [sic] them into the forums threaded."

I've set up a brand spanking new yahoo group for you to use. (No, I'm not intending to undercut the Coryphaeus group, but don't want to spam them with testing stuff until we are ready to go live.)

When you're ready to try testing this, point outgoing emails to: tapcisparlor@yahoogroups.com (feel free to join that mailing list to receive and reply to the test messages). I've set that group up to reply to whoever sent the messages, so that should be from whatever pop3 account you'll be using (presumably theparlor@tapcis.com or somesuch?).

The way I *think* the program works is that when any message is posted in The Parlor web forum, it will be mailed to that mailing list. When people on the mailing list reply, it goes to a pop3 account (theparlor@tapcis.com possibly). Then your bulletin board software will periodically fetch messages from that pop3 mailbox and put them on the web forum in the proper place. (And then get sent out to the mailing list!)

Let me know if you need any help testing... not sure how much "install" help I can provide.

Dan