Not at all sure about the best forum to ask this question on, but since this one is probably the one read by most people ....
My question is: Is it possible to set up an independently functioning mailing list in one's Zen webspace?
By "independently functioning" I basically mean managed by proper miling-list software, so that people can subscribe, or be put on by the list-owner, and can then post, with the postings being distributed to all subscribers, without continual intervention by the owner of the web-space.

The reason I'm asking is that a smallish (couple of dozen or so) group of people are getting together to work on a local history project,  and it would be handy to have a mailing-list for general communication.

The straightforward alternative would be for each individual to have a "bulk mail" list of all the other members, and mail/reply to that when they have something to say. This has the disadvantage that each person has to administer their own copy of this as needed; and also that there would be no archives for back-reference (especially for late joiners).

I've had a bot of a search through Zen's support info, without coming across anything apparently relevant, so I'm going public!
With thanks for any comments.

For managing small groups you might be best using an online group service like Yahoo! Groups which will give you mailing list functionality along with discussion forums and photo galleries etc, it would make the maintenance significantly easier and using an interface more familiar to other users who've used Yahoo! before.

I'm not able to advise on using Zen hosting for such service though you will not be able to host such a thing on the free web hosting.

I'll move this thread to general, it's not relevent to broadband discussion.

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DS Nelson

Performance and Improvement Analyst

Zen Internet Business Support Unit

Thanks. David. Yes, Yahoo Groups is a sensible suggestion. The main thing I would need to verify is whether one can make a Yahoo Group really private (i.e. only members can access the archives, as well as only members being able to post) --  it wouldn't be suitable for a setup where outsiders could read what has been posted.

I've never administered a group on there before but I believe you can lock down access and membership.

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DS Nelson

Performance and Improvement Analyst

Zen Internet Business Support Unit

You can lock them down and even have to agree signup (manual approval) before they can access anything.