All posts in the topic User Profiles Can Have Multiple Email Addresses (Short link)

2009 Mar 14 02:16 UTC

An OnlineGroups.Net site administrator recently asked me the following
question.

> Is there a way to get people on the listserv without requiring them to
> have an account? Something as simple as a subscribe and unsubscribe
> option using email addresses? Same for emails sent individually or as
> a daily digest.
>
> examples: subscribe@site_id.onlinegroups.net
> unsubscribe@site_id.onlinegroups.net
> digeston@site_id.onlinegroups.net
> digestoff@site_id.onlinegroups.net

GroupServer is different from other list servers, in that it creates an
account for each user, who can then associate multiple email addresses
with that account, and choose to use them in different ways. In
addition, users can view and make posts via the web, which are all
associated with a single user, regardless of the email address they use
— or of changes they make to the email address they use, over time.

We think of these things as advantages.

Because of the above, we believe it makes sense for a use to have a
chance to customise their profile, and set up a password so that they
can access the web interface, when they register. At the same time, we
recognise that users may not care about doing these things at the time
that they register. We therefore try to keep the signup process as
streamlined as possible.

Despite all of the above, however, we do allow for the signup process to
be initiated by email, using something similar to what you suggest. To
sign up, an email address is sent to the group email address, with the
text 'subscribe' as the subject line.

To leave a group, the email has the subject 'unsubscribe'. Instructions
for unsubscribing, and a 'mailto' link are at the bottom of every post
made via OnlineGroups.Net.

The digest mode can even be enabled and disabled using email commands
(again, with the command in the subject line). We do not promote these
widely because we consider that they are somewhat arcane for use by most
people. We believe that the 'email settings' web interface makes setting
up digest mode much easier.