For the list admin chores for a _non_-moderated list, like e.g. this
one, I'd say set it up on ezmlm (requires qmail) or perhaps Listar
(doesn't), and let the mailing list manager automatically process
the bounces and do something reasonable. Running a non-moderated
mailing list should be a zero maintenance activity.
For picking a moderator for a moderated list, I'd respectfully
submit that someone wanting to step into mjr's shoes should fill at
least four criteria that leap to my mind immediately:
(1) Should have a long and active history on the firewalls lists,
making their background easy for anyone to review just by
checking archives (that's credentials:-).
(2) Should be well respected by a substantial proportion of the
other old-timers on the lists;
(3) Should have an established record of being able, when they
choose to, of setting a proper vendor-neutral tone; and
(4) Should be willing to devote the time required to keep the
traffic flowing. That probably rules out anybody who meets 1-3.
I dunno about 1 and 2, but 3 definitely rules me out.
There aren't too many people as successfully vendor-neutral as mjr,
but I can think of a couple I'd nominate. Of course I don't know if
any of them might have any interest in taking on a chore of this
magnitude. But definitely scoring (in my opinion) for points 1-3
would be Steve Bellovin and Paul Robertson. I'm sure there are
others I'd endorse if someone were to nominate them, but those are
the names that leap to my mind.
If we were to get some agreement on a proposed moderator to take
over firewall-wizards, then the list could be resurrected. I dunno
whether mjr would be willing to hand the subscriber list over, but
if we were to set up a proposed new list, perhaps he'd at least be
willing to post one final note to the old one announcing the new;
and we could come up with a subscriber list that leaves out only the
total lurkers by just building a list of everybody who has posted to
the old firewall-wizards, from anybody's archives. I've got ones
that go back for a few months, that'd probably be sufficient, since
if you went back too far in time you'd be picking up (and so
annoying) too many people who unsubscribed from firewall-wizards.
-Bennett
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