ATM Important Message from List Owner - Please Read!!!

[Michael Lindner <mikell@optonline.net>]

As you probably already know, the ATM list has been "hacked into" by spammers. 
They are exploiting a "well known" weakness in the mailing list software used 
by the list (majordomo). Thanks to Simeon Ivanov for finding out how they did 
it. For several weeks I have tried to get the good folk at shore.net to 
install patches to fix that weakness and stop the spam. So far, they have 
declined to do so.

In the meantime, Simeon and another list member, Ken Lowther, have been kind 
enough to offer another solution - our very own list server! I purchased a 
domain name (atmlist.net) and they did all of the work to design and 
implement a redundant distributed list service, using much more sophisticated 
mailing list software (mailman).

The plan is to begin using the new list (atm@atmlist.net) as of today, and if 
all goes well, retire the atm@shore.net list in a few weeks. In the interrim, 
both lists will be active.

It would be nice if we could change lists without impacting list members, but 
that's not possible. The new list must have a different domain name. It also 
wouldn't be appropriate to register existing list members to the new list 
without their consent. Therefore, if you wish to remain on the atm list (or 
atm-digest list), you *MUST* take some action to subscribe to the new list. 
You don't need to unsubscribe from the existing list (in fact, you shouldn't 
or you will miss posts sent to the old list before it is shut down).

To join the new list, please visit http://www.atmlist.net and follow the 
instructions for subscribing. If you do not have web access (or prefer to 
subscribe via email) you can join by sending mail to atm-join@atmlist.net - 
to join and receive digests, after you are subscribed send an email to 
atm-request@atmlist.net with

set digest plain

in the body.

If you have SPAM filters that need to know about lists you subscribe to, don't 
forget to add a rule for the new list address (atm@atmlist.net). Now migh tbe 
a good opportunity to read the updated faq at 
http://www.starastronomy.org/TelescopeMaking/faq if you haven't recently.

The new list will be run just like the existing list, and will hopefully have 
the same membership - all that is changing is the domain name of the email 
address and the underlying software (and the SPAM should disappear). As 
always, if you have problems, please send an email to atm-owner@atmlist.net - 
that will reach Simeon, Ken and me. Hope to see you at atm@atmlist.net.

Thanks, and clear skies!
-- 
Michael Lindner
http://www.atmlist.net http://www.starastronomy.org
http://home.att.net/~mikel http://www.atmsite.org
http://www.starastronomy.org/TelescopeMaking/faq