Mailing List issues 2/24/2012

I am sorry to report that we are having issues with sending mail from the Kingdom server via mailing lists to many addresses. The largest block of affected users are those who use AOL email accounts. Dreamhost is our provider for internet services. This includes our web server, databases, and all email service. About 2 weeks ago, all of Dreamhost's outgoing mail servers were listed on a prominent anti-spam list (RBL) which is used by many mail service providers to block access from known spam providers. Dreamhost has worked diligently with the managers of that RBL to get the mail servers removed from the list so that our email will be accepted once again.

Unfortunately, the email servers that service the mailing lists have yet to be removed from the RBL. This means that AOL users among others are unable to receive email which is sent to any Kingdom-hosted email list. This includes the Announcement list, the Merry Rose, and several other lists that see significant traffic regularly.

I have an open ticket with Dreamhost support and continue to monitor the situation on Dreamhost's public status page at Dreamhost Status Page. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done until the managers of the RBL agree that Dreamhost has done what is necessary to have the mailing list servers removed from the spam list. We have been assured that steps have been taken by Dreamhost to ensure that this situation does not arise again. We are also looking into our alternatives, but do not have any plans to move the lists at this time.

As this message is going out through those email list channels, there are many affected people whom it will probably not reach. Please feel free to share the message with others, as well as the link to this information on the Atlantian Web Page at atlantia.sca.org/RBL.php. I will attempt to gather a list of all the affected addresses and contact them with more specific information after returning from the event this weekend.

If you have any questions, please contact me. Expect that it may be Tuesday or Wednesday (2/28 or 2/29) before receiving a reply, however.

-Tal


Talorgen Hersir
Kingdom Web Minister, Atlantia
(704) 618-0887