DHPOS Newsletter

Post by **Andrew** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:36 pm

Some of our visitors may recall we used to have a newspaper and magazine which went out weekly and monthly respectively under the banner of DHNO (Dale Harris News Org.) and later CRNC (Cash Register News Centre).

This grew into a site and articles were published there instead of in a regular email to subscribers. The site became a job in itself to maintain, and due to technical upgrades isn't currently available.

So what?
What we are trying to gauge by this poll is if DHPOS users are interested in a weekly or fortnightly newsletter (plain text email) which would contain:

- the current version number and release date of DHPOS
- a download link to that version
- details of any beta versions in testing at present
- short articles about what's been discussed in the forum, chatroom this week, as well as updates on what's new and planned for future release

What we would like to know
- are you interested in receiving this email (this is not a signup topic)?
- would you suggest topics or provide a few sentences every now and then as an author for the email?

We look forward to your replies.

bdude · Post by **bdude** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:28 pm

This would be a good idea!
Microsoft Publisher 2003 contains Email templates (I have it), Good idea for people who can't access the forum all the time.

ChrisKraus · Post by **ChrisKraus** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:02 pm

Well, A little intrest so far.

peewee3ie · Post by **peewee3ie** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 3:47 pm

yes I would like to see the news letter come out again. As it was very handy.

peachey13 · Post by **peachey13** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:06 pm

i would use publisher if i was you. I would just use a simple programs and keep the pictures and colours down to a minimal for the people that that slower internet connections.

thats my two cents,
peachey13

bdude · Post by **bdude** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:22 pm

You could use PHPList, which is an php + mysql mailing list program which handles subscriptions and sending the mail.
You can also make templates

Post by **Andrew** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:07 pm

The newsletter, would be in plain text to make it small, speedy and compatible across everyone's email clients.

There would be no fancy template or frilly images - just cold hard DHPOS news and updates, and I will probably host an archives site to allow people to read back issues.

So far the poll is looking good, I'm optimistic we will go ahead with the plan.

Sample:

Code: Select all

*****************
* DH Newsletter *
* 18/06/2005	 *
*****************

Current DHPOS version is 6.35 released on 17 May 2005.
Download from http://pages.prodigy.net/daleharris/pos3.htm

CONTENTS
1. DHPOS used at Walmart test
2. Dale awarded Nobel Peace Prize
3. Harris forced to upgrade site bandwidth

ARTICLE 1

ARTICLE 2

ARTICLE 3

Dale Harris · Post by **Dale Harris** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:18 pm

Andrew,

I just sent out 890 emails to registered users telling them about the release of POS version 6.35. At the end of the emails I included this

Some people are thinking of restarting the newspaper and are trying to gauge interest from users with a poll. So I am asking you to participate in the poll even if you have no interest in such a newspaper. “No interest” is one of the options. The poll is here http://www.dhpos.com/discuss/phpBB2/vie ... 394d4ce5aa

You may get some more entries in your poll. Maybe a lot.

Post by **Andrew** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 12:03 am

I saw that Dale, thanks

Post by **Andrew** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 6:12 am

bdude,

Thanks for the PHPlist suggestion, I have successfully installed this (they could work on that procedure though lol) and it looks great.

With this tool we can, in the future split into several newsletters, depending on the topics people would like to know about e.g. general DHPOS news, BETA testers, programming etc...

I will release further details once I have finished testing this tool, but it looks great and has inbuilt functions for handling bounced emails. I'm sure Dale can sympathise on this function. When the CRNC would send emails out to subscribers, I would always get several failure notices back, and it became a administration nightmare following up, blacklisting and finally deleting them manually.

tonyhaupt · Post by **tonyhaupt** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 9:49 am

Yes, I think it's a great idea

cciconsults@thepub.co.za · Post by **cciconsults@thepub.co.za** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:55 am

I think that its a great idea, I have been Using Dale Harris's POS for almost 2 Years, I couldnt run without it. Brillant software...

Clinton B

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:31 pm

I think it would be of great interest to may out her. Bill

Dale Harris · Post by **Dale Harris** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:30 pm

Andrew,

Well this seems to be a popular idea. Now what?

Post by **Andrew** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 3:22 am

Dale,

It does indeed, I am happy with the response we've received. I've been testing several mailing options and it looks like we will probably used the PHPlist which was suggested.

I will setup a basic website where the persons who expressed interest in writing for the newsletter occasionally can post their subject ideas etc. We may have our first issue in 1-2 weeks perhaps.

I will post more details as they come to hand.

DHES

DHPOS Newsletter

Are you interested in a regular DHPOS news email?

890 emails

newsletter

Yes, I think its a great Idea

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