[epub] Re: Looking for ezine program for non-techies

[Doug Lipman <coach@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In response to recommendations from this group, I switched to 
Add2It.com's Mail Responder Pro, which is now installed on my 
dedicated server. (The new program that combines and adds to the 
functionality of Mailman Pro and AutoResponder Pro.) What I like most 
about it:

1. Frank Bauer, the program's author, gives unbelievable service. He 
installs for a pittance ($29 - or free with the beta version of Mail 
Responder Pro), fixes problems, and is available to add custom 
features for a reasonable rate. As a result, this program does 
everything I need it to. And if I need a new feature, I know Frank 
will add it eventually for free or immediately for a fee.

2. There is a good, helpful forum at the Add2It.com website, where 
many questions are answered already. (This is even quicker than 
Frank's amazing service.)

3. The program makes sense to me. I tried Autoresponse Plus 
(ecom24.com), but found it unintuitive to use. Features were hidden 
in unlikely places. Mail Responder Pro's administration panel and 
setup feels much easier to navigate. The features are where I expect 
them to be.

4. Both Mailman Pro and Mail Responder Pro have a very robust 
"bounced messages" feature, that allows you complete control of 
bounce handling. It's based on a user-expandable list of bounce 
messages (e.g., "user unknown" or "over quota." It uses a point 
system - that you can customize - to decide how many bounces of which 
type result in removal from your list and when to reset the points. 
(In other words, you might set it up so that 3 "over quota" messages 
result in removal. But if you don't get any "over quota" messages 
from an address for a certain number of weeks or months, you can opt 
to have the software automatically reset the score to zero for that 
address.) This is the best bounce-handling I came across.

5. The program allows very flexible integration of newsletter sending 
with autoresponders. Adding a name to one list can automatically add 
it to or remove it from another list. The same message can be used in 
more than one list.

Thanks to all who wrote to advise me a couple months ago.

Good luck to you, Terry, in choosing.

Doug

> Hi all,
>
> I am desperate! I've had an ezine now for a number of years, first using a
> free company, then moving on to ezezine.com. I've had some problems with
> their software (paid version) and feel it's time to move on to something
> that is a bit more stable with more bells and whistles (like being able to
> track).

---8<--snip
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Doug Lipman, P.O. Box 521165, Tulsa, OK 74152 
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