Majordomo vs. BCPost
Information Technology Services had been using Majordomo, a mailing list server system, to administer listservs at Boston College.  In January 2008, ITS began to migrate lists from Majordomo to a new mailing list software from Sympa. The Sympa mailing list (listserv) system at Boston College is called BCPost.

BCPost moves beyond the listserv capabilities provided by Majordomo for users and system administrators. BCPost has a Web interface that makes working with lists simpler for both list owners and subscribers.

Listserv or Campus Group?

Class lists generated through Campus Groups are separate from the listserv system. If you send email to your class using an address based on the class code and semester followed by @bc.edu, you are using Campus Groups. All listservs have "@listserv.bc.edu" as the second part of the address.

Migration facts

• Lists migrating to BCPost retain the same settings (configuration) as Majordomo.
• The name of each list and the list address stays the same.
• During the final stage of the migration process, messages posted to the list will be held in queue for approximately one hour. This work will occur on Sunday, February 10th. No messages (postings) will be lost.
• You will no longer need to use your listserv owner password.
• To log in to BCPost and work with the lists you own or subscribe to, you will use your Boston College email address and password. If your list was tied to an interactive email address, you should log in to BCPost with that email address and password.
• You will no longer need to send email messages with commands to manage your list, however, if you like to work with your lists using commands, many are still available. Learn more.
• Your list's address will be visible in the Index of List only to subscribers. You can change the visibility setting to conceal it, have visible to anyone logged in with a BC email address or make it visible to the public. Learn where. To avoid spam, we don't recommend that you make it public.

Learning how to Use BCPost

We suggest that you start with the Frequently Asked Questions page. It works as an index to BCPost user documentation as well as answering specific questions.

BCPost has many options available. We strongly suggest that your review the configuration information and log in to BCPost and review your list's settings.

Managing subscribers and bouncing addresses
The Web interface makes it easy to manage your subscribers and to review and work with addresses that are bouncing messages back to the service. Learn how to manage your subscribers. Learn how to review bouncing addresses.

Moderating messages
If your list is moderated, you will continue to receive messages in your email account with links to approve the message. In addition, you may access a full list of pending messages in the Web interface. Learn more.

Posting
Subscribers may continue to post messages by typing the list address in the To: field of their email client or they may use a link in the Web interface. Learn how to post a message.

Archived Messages
All messages are archived (within 5 minutes of distribution) and are accessible via the Web interface. Learn how to access archives. BCPost has a 100 MB archive storage limit, so periodically you may want to download or delete archived messages. Learn how.