[pianotech] real costs of running a listserv list

[Paul McCloud]

Hi, Phil:
Thanks for this information.  If the cost of the software is $850 a year, and there are, say, 100 core participants, then each of them will need to pay $8.50 a year.  I'm not sure if this is the actual cost, since we would need to inquire from Lars Nordstrom directly about our situation.  
Whether the server is located at someone's residence, or whether it's a commercially maintained server is the next question.  Reliability is key, in my opinion, so I'd vote a commercial server rather than someone's garage or bedroom, subject to power fluctuations, etc.  Add a yearly fee for that.  Setting it up, I think we can come up with someone, maybe Horace, or some young whippersnapper IT guy fresh out of school, a friend or ?  Doable.
So, some costs are going to have to be borne by us in some amount to have our own list, separate from PTG.  We owe a lot to Andy Rudoff for bearing all the costs and effort involved with starting and maintaining the list for all those years.  Whether he had to pay $850 a year, well, we'd have to ask him about that.  At any rate, we will have to decide if we want to "own" the list, or just stay with Googlegroups.
Paul McCLoud
San Diego

----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil- EMVKEYS" <phil at emvkeys.ca>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 4:57:44 AM
Subject: [pianotech] real costs of running a listserv list




Doubtful of the $30k/year figure mentioned to operate this list, I spoke with the administrator of the other list I’m on, (also listserv) 

They were happy to oblige. For those who are interested, following is their reply. I <edited> some parts in the interest of keeping their identities out of it but have their permission to pass this info on. This may be of interest to those who would consider setting up a new pianotech on a similar platform & format as we now have until April 1. 



“The license for the Listserv(tm) software <our mailing list> is running on is $850/year. I pay it out of pocket to avoid dealing with interpersonal BS...it's my charitable contribution. The software's pricing model is dependent on purpose (commercial or not), the # of lists, and the # of subscribers. See www.lsoft.com for more details, or you can bug our sales rep Lars Nordstrom < LNORDSTROM at LSOFT.COM >. 

The software needs a server, which doesn't need to be fancy (we're using an older desktop PC), but does need decent antivirus (regular Norton works) and standard maintenance (occasional attention, maybe a part replaced or upgraded here and there...it's a PC). <snip> a refurbed unit <will cost you> $300-$400. Add a good router $80ish. Add electric and vet bills for its occasional ouchies, if you don't have an in-house tech. 

You'll need a net connection with static IP. That's a question for the ISP. Listserv isn't data-heavy, so it doesn't need a ton of bandwidth. You'll also need to have a conversation with their nerds about mail servers & anti-spam measures/policy. <the other andministrator> can go into more detail here, I'm kind of out of the loop with what magic he's done downstream of the server. 

And then there's dealing with the actual humans. Training them for new setups and working the kinks out used to take a metric ton of hours. Things are more user-friendly now, but still count on dealing with lots of people pushing the "pull" door. Learning how to make Listserv sit up and bark has its own learning curve, and I don't recommend trying to do it yourself with the manual...gawd, painful. It's the kind of thing you find a friend who's good at it, and bribe them with dinner if they'll do the heavy lifting. “ 



Phil Manning 

Artist Piano Care 

www.artistpianocare.ca 

416.907.3562