README file for Listar
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For now, this file assumes you have a modicum of unix experience, it will
get better over time.  If you have questions about getting this code set
up and installed on your machine, please feel free to subscribe to the
listar-support@listar.org (send an email to
listar-support-request@listar.org with the word 'subscribe' (no quotes) in
the subject). 

Edit the top level makefile to set up configuration settings for your
machine.  I'm assuming some type of advanced makefile (ala GNU)

After editing, perform a make in the top level.  This will create the
modules and the listar executable.

You probably want to create a listar user/group so that the program
runs as an unpriveledged user.  Chmod the listar executable to this
user and make sure this user is a trusted user of your sendmail
program.  Also make sure all the list directories and the 
newlist.pl script have the correct permissions and can be read/written
by the listar user/group.

You'll want to rename the listar.cfg.dist to listar.cfg, the
newlist.pl.dist to newlist.pl (or newlist.sh.dist to newlist.sh, if you
don't have Perl).  The reason for the .dist extensions is to prevent a
user from accidentally unpacking over an existing installation and
destroying their previous configurations.

If you want to use the bounce-management on a nightly basis, just add
'listar -procbounce' to your crontab.  Similarly, if you want to ensure
the digest processing is handled at a certain time, add the command 
'listar -procdigest' to your crontab.  Both CAN be omitted; Listar will
then handle it automatically when something is posted to the list after
too long has passed.

Create lists using the newlist.pl script.  This script will create all the
initial list files for your list.  Further documentation will be
forthcoming at a later date (any volunteers?)  The newlist.pl script
will output some aliases which should be added to a valid aliases file
for sendmail.  After adding them, run 'newaliases' (or the equivalent
for your machine). 

You *should* now have an operational listar mailing list server.

Please report any bugs to bugs@listar.org so that they can be fixed as
soon as possible.  Posts to this address will automatically go into the
Listar bug tracking system (http://bugs.listar.org/listar/).

Please also feel free to submit changes, enhancements, and ideas for
listar as well.  Feature requests can be mailed to bugs@listar.org for
addition to the 'Wishlist' section of the Listar database.  Please note
that it is a feature request in the message, though. 

In addition to listar-support@listar.org (open subscription via
listar-support-request@listar.org), there is also be an open mailing list
for developers called listar-dev@listar.org (subscribe via
listar-dev-request@listar.org) which can be used to discuss changes and
implementations of various modules, extensions to existing modules, bug
fixes and the like. 

Thank you.
Jeremy Blackman  (Loki)
Joseph Traub     (JT)


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As the authors, we'd really like to know about any improvements, fixes,
changes and such that are made to this software so that we can incorporate
them into future versions as well as improve the software over time.

If you have a specific bug request you want in the database, send mail
to: bugs@listar.org

That will reach the developers, but also be added to the bug tracking
database, which can be viewed at:  http://bugs.listar.org/listar/
