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Topics - DW

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31
Development, Suggestions / Q for v1.85+ users re:Daylight Savings
« on: April 04, 2006, 10:29:18 am »
Some users have reported that their cron tasks did not run.  Is this a widespread issue due to daylight savings?  I better check into it.

32
I thought I'd post this email ad I received since it seems to be from an honest person trying to make it online.  They are sending UCE but it adheres to the CAN-SPAM act and, from the looks of it, they do not appear to be harvesting email addresses (she probably found my site through some web research).  A huge factor in this decision is that the service could be very beneficial to ListMail clients.  Here it is:
Quote

Dear Mr. Wiebe:

If you or your clients are ever looking for someone to help you write, edit, or do a final review of e-newsletters and e-mails, please keep me in mind. Allow me to be your “writing fix-it” resource, whether it’s on a regular basis or just once in a while.

As a freelance copywriter and editor, I’ve been helping businesses write and put the finishing touches on their collateral for more than fifteen years.

Count on convenient, professional, reliable service. These requests reflect clients’ typical concerns…  

“Punch it up a bit”

“Reword this section”

“Sentences too long”

“Sub-heads need work”

“Make more consistent”

“Need greater urgency”

“Cut down and clean up”

“Suggestions for copy flow”

“Make more reader-friendly”

“Get rid of any redundancy”

“Read for overall clarity and sense”

“Needs fine-tuning and final review”

“Use this style guide and check conformity to style”

Next time you’re looking for this type of support, why not run your project by me? It’s easy to do, and you can depend on me to help ensure your copy truly reflects your corporate standards and goals. Contact me anytime at copy@susanremkus.com.

Thank you.

Susan Remkus
Copywriting etc.
8060 Allison Place
Arvada, CO  80005-2558
303/422-8768 tel
303/423-2657 fax
copy@susanremkus.com
www.susanremkus.com

If you're interested in posting a write-up about your email-marketing-related business in the ListMail forum let me know.  We might need need to make a new category for these.  "Complimentary Services" seems like a good title. :)  I could also make a small amount of affiliate revenue where possible which would encourage ListMail's development.  What do you think?

Regards, DW

33
Customization, Integration / A simpler PHP insertion script
« on: March 23, 2006, 01:03:31 am »
This very simple snippet of code will add a user to a list AND send the welcome or/and confirmation emails.

Code: [Select]
<?php
// don't forget to urlencode() the first and last name
$url "http://example.com/mail/signup.php?list=1&email=$payer_email&fname=$first_name&lname=$last_name&seq=1&del=0";
$lmp fopen($url,'r');
fclose($lmp);
?>


The following will allow overwriting of duplicates in case you're using this to welcome buyers of your products:

Code: [Select]
<?php
// don't forget to urlencode() the first and last name
$url "http://example.com/mail/signup.php?list=1&email=$payer_email&fname=$first_name&lname=$last_name&seq=1&del=0&overwritedupes=1";
$lmp fopen($url,'r');
fclose($lmp);
?>

34
Development, Suggestions / v1.86 Testing
« on: March 20, 2006, 06:20:19 pm »
This post is for discussion of the new release.  Please let us know how you fare!

View Changes | View Demo

Regards, DW

35
Development, Suggestions / Bug: Bounce mailbox mismatch?
« on: March 08, 2006, 04:52:07 am »
Quote from: "bposton"
I setup the bounce email address instead of the cgi. But when I get the emails from dailymail with the notification that a user was removed, the beginning of that email lists a specific user, but in the body of the email itself there is another user that has bounced.
For example:
Here is the first part of the email (some parts removed for privacy):

A user has been removed from your list: A Great Game of Golf - Original List
Their information was as follows:
Email: bigosports@XXXXX.net
First Name: GXXX
Last Name: DXXX

However in the remaining part, is lists another user has bounced:

A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of
its recipients. The following addresses failed:
<dkottoson>
SMTP error from remote server after RCPT command:
host mx3.hotmail.com[65.54.245.72]:
550 Requested action not taken: mailbox unavailable

And the copy of the original message sent that is listed in the bounce email confirms this:
The header of the original message is following. ---
> Received: from [217.160.226.24] (helo=localhost)
> by mrelay.perfora.net (node=mrelayus0) with ESMTP (Nemesis),
> id 0MKoyl-1FDme72Qi7-00026e; Mon, 27 Feb 2006 12:58:58 -0500
> Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 12:58:55 -0500
> From: "Ben Poston" <info>
> To: "DXXXX OXXXX" <dkottoson>

I believe this has been mentioned before but I never looked into it.  I hope to get this one fixed soon.

36
Development, Suggestions / At work on v1.86
« on: March 02, 2006, 04:24:26 pm »
An update isn't too far off! :)

I've posted a new announcement and will be sending out a member email soon.

Quote
v1.85 update is stable
The v1.85 release has had no reported issues for a couple months now and is considered stable. It has been made the main download available in the member area.

Working on more features
While I've been quiet the last while working on the new site, managing servers, and learning about search engine optimization, I have a secret. I'm working on ListMail again! :D It's been awhile and I feel I owe you guys a well-rounded update. I've added many new features over the last couple weeks and am improving them even further before I continue to implement several more. You can keep track of my progress here - this page is automatically updated as I modify the Changes.txt file in my working files. ;)

I'm going through everything deciding what and what not to put in for the benefit of ALL ListMail owners. I may issue a test release when I've finished another few features, so look out for it!

Thanks again for becoming an owner of ListMailPRO!

Regards!

37
Development, Suggestions / In Development
« on: December 17, 2005, 03:08:08 am »
I'm working on sorting through completed features and out-of-date development discussion and moving it here.  Soon, remaining suggestions will be organized into a database so we have a clear view of everything to be implemented.

Please be patient as it could take a while. :)

Regards!

38
Customization, Integration / Modify all followups at once
« on: December 15, 2005, 04:44:46 am »
This little script will process the "text message" portion of ALL followups (on ALL lists) in order to add a !remove message code.  The string "!adbottom" is replaced with "!adbottom", two line breaks, then "!remove".

Copy the following code into a .php file, upload it to your ListMail folder, and browse to it to run it.  Be careful to only run it once noting that there is no output when the script is executed.

Code: [Select]
<?php
 
include("./config.php");
 include(
"./admin.php");

 
$f mysql_query("select id,content from $ftable where 1");
 while(list(
$i,$c)=mysql_fetch_row($f)){
  
mysql_query("update $ftable set content = '".addslashes(str_replace('!adbottom',"!adbottom\n\n!remove",$c))."' where id = '$i';");
 }
?>



For variations of this script please reply to this post. :)

Regards

39
Development, Suggestions / [Dev] Link Tracking Improvements
« on: December 09, 2005, 12:52:49 am »
This is waaay overdue.  I haven't touched this feature since ListMail's inception and it is becoming critical that it be improved.  It's primitive state is, no doubt, reflecting poorly upon ListMail and it's usefulness is well, just not that useful. I think improvements to Link Tracking will be good for everybody.

Ideas:

1. Tracked links will have their own "Edit" page with many more options.

a) The ability to set up image links for HTML messages could be incorporated, with a fancy "preview" of your images.  The width and height of images could be detected and be settable.  The title would be settable.  I could even incorporate a CSS option so you can set up margins and borders if it would be useful.

b) SPLIT testing could be incorporated, so that 50%, 33%, 25% of your list would receive a different link.  Each tracked link could have up to 4 different URLs.  "Timing" might be lost in the event of a resume, but since we're cycling quite quickly, every 2, 3 or 4, the results would be fairly reliable.  We should actually be able to avoid this by storing information in the new 'queue protect' table.. :)

2) I can't say I'm overly attached to the current style of tracked links.  Links could have and optional format, similar to new Remove Links.  I would like to get some feedback on different link styles for this.  We need to include a variable for the unique textual userid and the link ref code.  Unfortunately, the auto-incremented numerical IDs for these are prone to abuse.

Currently the Unique UID is fixed to 7 characters, which is why the current implementation is possible:
http://example.com/mail/link.php?x=z1y2x3wmylinkref

More options could be provided, depending on your preference, ie:
http://example.com/mail/link.php?a=z1y2x3w&b=mylinkref
http://example.com/mail/link.php?x=z1y2x3w_mylinkref
http://example.com/mail/link.php?x=z1y2x3w-mylinkref
http://example.com/mail/link.php?x=mylinkref_z1y2x3w

I may be able to pull some tricks, so links might look like this:
http://example.com/mail/link/z1y2x3w/mylinkref

I think that would require a custom .htaccess file, though, which makes installation more complicated and would cause compatibility issues.  Not a bad idea to keep in mind as something optional, though..

Please let me know if you have any ideas for the Link Tracking "Edit" page.

3. Tracked user viewing needs a major overhaul.  The page system needs to be cleaned up and a direct interface between links, users, and lists needs to be established.  This could include:

- Options for copying or moving users who have clicked on certain links (in X amount of time?) to existing and new lists for further marketing and followup.

- Options for creating User Selections matching users who have clicked on certain links.

- Overall, Week, Month, or other range viewing and statistics

Yea or Nay? :D

40
Development, Suggestions / "Contribution System" for new features?
« on: December 08, 2005, 03:04:27 am »
Greetings ListMail Owners!

I'm seeking input from ListMail clients on this issue - your vote would be very much appreciated!

I think that there are well over 100 suggestions for the program at this point.  While I plan on implementing many features over the coming weeks and months, dozens will certainly remain and more are sure to come.

A number of my clients have recently requested custom rush features and I have provided the service at very reasonable rates.  The experience has forced me to re-evaluate accepting these jobs, however.  I am concerned that doing them causes those who don't contribute to be without the often very simple to implement features they desire and need.

I am also concerned that due to my over-generous nature I often end up giving too good a deal.  When a feature is much harder or time consuming than expected I sometimes feel undercompensated or that my time would have been better spent working on other things.  It's true - I need to stay focused on the big picture and implement what's most important for ALL ListMail users - that means the small but useful features no-one's willing to pay for, too!  At the same time I must continue working on marketing, the new web site and, above all, turning enough of a profit from LMP and other internet marketing ventures to continue my efforts working at home.

One solution I've come up with is a contribution system for new features.  I could set a price based on how difficult I feel a feature is to implement and you, my loyal happy customers, could contribute partial payments or buy features outright.  Once a feature is completely paid for I would get started immediately in an effort to have it in the next update.

The 'prices' for each feature would probably be much higher, double or triple what I've currently been charging for rush features.  As a result, me being rushed will become infrequent and I can continue to work stress-free, calm and, most important of all, collected and overly-thoughtful as I usually am.  When I am rushed, such as when a difficult feature is completely paid, I will feel good and keep my momentum because I will know that I have been compensated generously.

I would, of course, continue to work toward implementing features on a regular basis regardless of contributions.  For example, if no features are completely paid for I might implement the one that is the closest to completion percentage-wise, no matter the difficulty.

Please let me know what you think about this idea by casting your vote or replying to this post.  I really appreciate your feedback!

Regards,

DW

41
Development, Suggestions / [Dev] More diverse sending times
« on: December 02, 2005, 01:21:30 am »
I'd like some input on this feature.

With the advent of the new queue protection and auto-resume options ListMail is becoming more stable and safe to use.  A client came to me recently with the desire to send emails at a certain time of day.

ListMail could feature a script that runs every 5, 15 or 30 minutes to send emails at times throughout the day.  This script could ultimately replace dailymail.

Would you be interested in such a modification?

What are your thoughts on the frequency / diversity of the timing.  Would every 15 minute suffice, or should we go all the way with every 5 minutes?  Hard-coding the value will allow me to design the interface around it accurately depicting the final results, but/and this could also remain a choice for the installer of the script without too much ill-effect.

Regards

43
Development, Suggestions / Upcoming pricing changes
« on: November 11, 2005, 09:18:57 am »
I knew that subject line would get your attention :lol:.  This is a topic of much debate.

When I'm finished the new site there will be a number of new options available to members.  Most notably, we will be keeping track of site licenses and reseller licenses you can use to create your own ListMail member accounts instantly.

My proposed pricing is as follows:

Initial purchase with 1? site license: $195
Initial purchases (33% commission with affiliate program) up to $500 (ClickBank limit at the moment) with options including installation and additional site / reseller licenses.

Base price for additional site licenses: $40

$40 for 1
$72 for 2 (10% off)
$96 for 3 (20% off)
$120 for 4 (25% off)
$140 for 5 (30% off)
$156 for 6 (35% off)
$168 for 7 (40% off)
$200 for 10 (50% off)
$360 for 20 (55% off!)

Base price for reseller licenses: $120

$120 for 1
$216 for 2 (10% off)
$288 for 3 (20% off)
$360 for 4 (25% off)
$420 for 5 (30% off)
$468 for 6 (35% off)
$500 for 7 (40% off)
$600 for 10 (50% off)
$1080 for 20 (55% off!)

You will be able to apply surplus site licenses (that you aren't using) to resold accounts upon creation.

I might allow you to pre-purchase installations and/or additional months of forum/upgrade access (when implemented - 3 months is being considered for free) that can be automatically applied upon creation.

Site and resold licenses will not be a part of the affiliate program right away but may be in the future.

All licenses and support will be able to be paid for with credit card or PayPal.

The tech support interface will be greatly improved to remove confusion, work with purchases packaged with installation, etc.

Please be assured that all current members of ListMail will become "VIPs" and will receive lifetime forum access and upgrades unless they take me up on an incentive such as... 5 reseller licenses? :) (Note: this is NOT a guarantee, just a ballpark - I'm a nice guy :D).

I believe these changes will help all of us earn more money with ListMail!

Let me know your thoughts.

Regards

44
Server Optimization, Tweaks / sendmail optimization?
« on: November 04, 2005, 08:19:14 pm »
I'm looking to get in touch with an administrator running a server that uses sendmail. I have little experience optimizing sendmail for large mailings and would like to come up with some optimizations I can recommend to my users.

I wonder if sendmail in it's default configuration sends fast enough - basically as fast as ListMail can queue messages.  If it doesn't, I'd like to know ways to speed up message sending such as (common) more remote connections, more queue folders, etc.

Regards

45
Testimonials, Feedback / fantastic after sales service and skills!
« on: November 02, 2005, 04:37:49 am »
Here's another one:
Quote
Hi Dean, thanks again it all seems to be working fine now.
I would like to provide the following testimonial which you should feel free to use anywhere you like.
 
"Thanks Dean, the listmail program is great and only surpassed by your fantastic after sales service and skills which you graciously share with your customers. I would recommend your site to anyone who is looking for the one stop shop to solve all their mail issues." Steve Lockhart www.backpain.com.au
 
Don't forget lunch next time you are in Sydney,
Regards
Steve

Thank you Steve!!

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