AutoShare, a freeware list server and auto-responder for the Macintosh.
This document is copyright © 1999 Mikael Hansen.
A: Yes. And you may want to, because AutoShare may offer services that your other software does not. AutoShare is also freeware, so there are no shareware fees to pay if you like it.
A: AutoShare may be initially configured by starting up the application, entering two e-mail addresses (Cmd-M, then enter valid listmaster and bounce addresses) and creating four folders (Cmd-F, then select the Filed Mail, Incoming Mail, Document and List Server folders). The domain in the bounce address should reflect that of the server's IP address.
A: Yes, Cron is built into the freeware AutoShare server software. Simply create Finder aliases to the applications to be launched, rename to Cron-like time patterns and put them in a Launch folder. You can also shut down the applications, reboot or shut down the Macintosh.
Another way to keep applications up is by specifying a series of application creator codes and how often AutoShare should check to see if they are running and be launched if they're not.
A: The server application is fully AppleScriptable and includes a Send Mail command, which may be used to hand over a message file to your mail server.
A: AutoShare can do direct DNS lookups via the IP Info AppleScript command or the Admin(istrator) application.
A: Auto-responses have been in AutoShare from the very beginning and support subject-specific replies and on-the-fly BinHex attachments. The quick tutorial shows how to quickly create an auto-response service.
A: The vacation notice service, also an oldie but a goodie, is much like an auto-response which in addition supports the one notice only feature.
A: Yes. AutoShare's handling of unknown addresses, which can save considerable time when creating list server mail accounts, can be configured to forward the message to a given e-mail address or to be bounced with a standard Unknown user warning. The return message can be customized, and such variables as the Unknown user warning as well as the original message may be inserted into the return message.
A: The freeware AutoShare server software offers sophisticated automated bounce processing of both hard and soft bounces. Incoming bounce messages and outgoing test messages are handled in a regular fashion using folders for message files. The required access to subscriber lookup and removal is likely to be accomplished (details here) by a Database process extender, if your list server software is scriptable.
A: Yes, there is no conflict in doing so, if you already have a mail server running. Some lists may benefit from features offered by AutoShare as a list server and not by your other list server software. The quick tutorial shows how to quickly create a new list.