Recent changes to news

Dada Mail 3.0.0 RC 1 Released

Justin J — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:07:29 -0000

Hello Everyone,

Table of Contents:

* Dada Mail 3.0.0 Release Candidate 1 Released
* Pro Dada 3.0.0 RC 1
* The Dada Mail Manual
* Professional Installation Services - We're Installing 3.0
* Bluehost and Dada Mail - One Click Install
* Taking a break on July 7th, will return in September

:: Dada Mail 3.0.0 Release Candidate 1 Released

I'm happy to introduce the next version of Dada Mail: 3.0.0 RC 1. This release is the last step to the proper 3.0.0 release and if it proves stable, will become the 3.0.0 Release. I've got a lot of news to share about it, but first -

Here's the download page:

http://mojo.skazat.com/download

And the direct downloads:

tar.gz:

http://downloads.sourceforge.net/mojomail/dada-3_0_0-rc_1.tar.gz?use_mirror=voxel

zip:

http://downloads.sourceforge.net/mojomail/dada-3_0_0-rc_1.zip?use_mirror=voxel

Some big time enhancements have been done to the Basic Dada Mail - currently, this version comes with every single plugin and extension we've ever written (and still think is worth keeping). Plugins and extensions that used to be available only with Pro Dada and/or the Magicbook (a hefty amount) are now available in this free version.

Along with that, we've up'd the defult configuration limit of lists from 3 to 5 and the limit of subscribers per list from 5,000 to 25,000. We want Dada Mail to be as powerful and useful to you as possible, so go ahead and use Dada Mail to its fullest.

:: Pro Dada 3.0.0 RC 1

At long last, we finally have available a Pro Dada version of the 3.x series. Along with this Pro Dada version, we have a completely new Pro Dada Subscription back end, so you can pick up a copy of Pro Dada (2.10.16 is still available), as well as a copy of the Pro Dada Manual, as well as *view* the Pro Dada Manual, while you're logged in, without having to download it.

If you're already a subscriber, log in right now:

http://mojo.skazat.com/pro_dada

If you would like to subscribe to Pro Dada for a year, we'd love to have you aboard. Your subscription keeps the Dada Mail Project running. More information, screenshots of the Subscriber back end, as well as a Table of Contents of the Dada Mail Manual can be found at:

http://mojo.skazat.com/purchase/pro.html

:: The Dada Mail Manual

The Dada Mail Manual has replaced the Magic Book. It's filled with all new documentation, heavily covering almost every single list administration screen as well as installation, configuration, plugins/extensions and other more advanced topics.

In 3.0, there's links to the relevant topics in most every list control panel screen of your own Dada Mail installation, so help is now just a click away.

The Dada Mail Manual is more user-centered than the Magicbook was, filling the need for an actual manual of the program, instead of a book of tricks.

We think it's pretty amazing and is currently only offered with a Pro Dada Subscription and with our own installation services.

We've put five whole sample chapters up that detail the Basic, Advanced and Semi-Automatic Installation Methods of Dada Mail, as well as Configuring Dada Mail for the SQL Backend. Start reading them at:

http://mojo.skazat.com/installation

Again, if you're already a subscriber (subscriptions are year-long), start downloading and reading the new Dada Mail Manual, as well as grab a copy of Pro Dada at:

http://mojo.skazat.com/pro_dada

If not, go ahead and help support the Dada Mail Project:

http://mojo.skazat.com/purchase/pro.html

If you've purchased *only* the Dada Mail Magicbook in the last year, well, today is your lucky day - contact us and we'll transform your Magicbook-only subscription to a Pro Dada subscription, complete with the Dada Mail Manual. Thanks for supporting Dada Mail by Subscribing the Magicbook and you're welcome.

:: Professional Installation Services - We're Installing 3.0

We've started installing Dada Mail 3.0 for our clients for almost 4 months now and we'd love to install/upgrade it for you. Get a professional installation done by us with many plugins and extensions offered (7 in all are included at the base price and many more can be added for a little more extra).

Let us upgrade your current Dada Mail - no matter what the version is to 3.0 and keep all your old list subscribers, settings and archives. You'll also help keep the Dada Mail Project afloat.

Here's more information:

http://mojo.skazat.com/installation/request.html

If you currently have one of the 3.0 betas installed by us, please get in touch, as we'd like to get those upgraded for you. Replying to this email is an easy way to do that.

Finally, our Pro Dada installations also give you a full year subscription to Pro Dada and the Dada Mail Manual - complete with download links for Pro Dada and the Dada Mail Manual.

:: Bluehost and Dada Mail - One Click Install

Bluehost has recently added the, SimpleScripts feature in their Cpanel and SimpleScripts includes a one-click installation of Dada Mail.

SimpleScripts themselves have been extremely good at staying on top of our releases. So, if you want an easy way to install Dada Mail, including the betas of Dada Mail 3.0, it's literally a one-click installation away. Thousands of people already have - it's quite amazing to this very teeny tiny developer. The Simple Scripts installer seems to be able to upgrade your Dada Mail, and configures Dada Mail with the SQL backend. None too shabby.

Here's more information on Bluehost:

http://www.bluehost.com/track/dadamail/

We get emails written to us pretty frequently, telling us they're very pleased with Bluehost in general and are happy to be using Dada Mail on it. That's saying a lot, I think.

I do know that both Westhost and Verio have installers for Dada Mail as well (anyone else?), but they seem to only offer very outdated versions -

If you are a Westhost or Verio customer, can you contact them and let them know about Dada Mail 3? If enough people do, I bet they'll add the fresher version of Dada Mail soon.

If you yourself have a Cpanel-powered hosting account, let them know about SimpleScripts and how awesome it is at installing Dada Mail. Thanks :)

:: Taking a break on July 7th, will return in September

Finally, this is a heads-up that I will be taking a leave from World Headquarters to ride my bicycle around Europe for two whole months. I'll be starting in Paris, France and ending in Dublin, Ireland.

If you need something from me - questions answered, development done, installations finished - let me know as soon as heavenly possible and we'll get that all set. I may check in with World Headquarters from time to time, but consider me fairly unreachable (by design! :grin:) for most of that time. I hope you too have a great summer -

And thanks for reading - let us know how the new version is working for you. I really appreciate all your kind words - a huge amount of, "The new version looks very slick!", your feedback, your bug reports and everything else. I hope we were able to solve your problems on the boards:

http://mojo.skazat.com/support/boards

and help you with any other problems you were having,

Cheers,

Justin J
Lead Dadaist, the Dada Mail Project
http://mojo.skazat.com

Dada Mail 2.10.16 Released

Justin J — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 07:37:11 -0000

Table of Contents:

.: Dada Mail 2.10.16 Released
.: Professional Installation/Upgrade Services
.: Pro Dada 2.10.16 Available
.: Dada Mail 2.11 Alpha 7 Available

I'm very happy to announce the immediate availability of Dada Mail, version 2.10.16. This version contains bug fixes found in version 2.10.15.

This release is purely a bug fix release, so no new features, just more rock-solid stability.

As always, Dada Mail is a free download at:

http://mojo.skazat.com/download

For more detailed information about the changes in this release,
please see:

.: Bug Fixes/Changes:
<http://mojo.skazat.com/support/documentation-dada-2_10_16/changes.pod.html#2_10_16_stable__released_9_25_07>

:: Professional Installation/Upgrade Services

As always, we are providing professional, secure and awesome installation/upgrade services that include fixing corrupted installations, server moves, troubleshooting and also personal consultation and contracting.

For simple installation/upgrades, please see:

http://mojo.skazat.com/installation/request.html

for more information. Currently, a pro upgrade to 2.10.16 from any previous version of Dada Mail is $100. This upgrade comes with one full year of free upgrades to the program as they become available. A great deal.

We've also added a few more plugins and extensions that come with Pro install of Pro Dada as well as two weeks of included direct email support. We also have the option of receiving a full year of direct email support to your install.

Make sure to check out some of the other great options when getting an installation/upgrade. Some of these options include:

+ FCKeditor WYSIWYG HTML editor support
+ Installation of, "Mystery Girl", the bounce handler for Dada Mail
+ Installation of, "Beatitude", the scheduled mailer for Dada Mail
+ High-Traffic Optimization of Dada Mail
+ Discussion List support via the dada_bridge.pl plugin
+ Server Migrations

:: Pro Dada 2.10.16 Available

Pro Dada 2.10.16 is now also available. Pro Dada is a version of Dada Mail that does not include the visible copyright footer and link back to the support site in the HTML screens or email messages. Pro Dada also comes with a copy of the Magicbook. A one year subscription to Pro Dada is only $50. More information:

http://mojo.skazat.com/purchase/pro.html

Please note that we've made more differences between Basic Dada Mail and Pro Dada. The above page notes all the changes between the two different distributions. If you're upgrading a Basic Dada Mail installation, you may want to make sure Dada Mail still supports the size and amount of lists you currently have.

Purchases of Pro Dada keep the Dada Mail project continuing strong. If you use Dada Mail in a commercial environment, consider purchasing Pro Dada. It's the main way Dada Mail is kept alive.

We really appreciate everyone who does purchase a copy of Pro Dada. Purchases make almost all development happen.

.: For current subscribers:

Download Pro Dada - here's the URL for the self-serve download area:

http://mojo.skazat.com/cgi-bin/support/receive_pro_dada.cgi

If you do have any trouble logging into our system, please just send us an email with your purchase information and we'll try to get that cleared up for you.

:: Dada Mail 2.11 Alpha 7 Available

I'm also happy to announce the immediate availability of Dada Mail, 2.11 Alpha 7.

.: Download 2.11 Alpha 7

2.11 Alpha 7 tar.gz distibution:

<http://downloads.sourceforge.net/mojomail/dada-2_11_alpha_7.tar.gz?download>

+ 2.11 Alpha 7 zip distribution:

<http://downloads.sourceforge.net/mojomail/dada-2_11_alpha_7.zip?use_mirror=download>

The entire (long) list of improvements is located at:

Also note that this alpha version has it's own documentation:

<http://mojo.skazat.com/support/documentation-dada-2_11-alpha_7/>

One of the things we've done in this release is include every single plugin and extension for Dada Mail that we personally make in the distro itself - including the ones usually found in the Magicbook and Pro Dada. They'll only work with this alpha version, but giving them a try with this dev. version of the program could give you a taste of what they're all about.

:: In closing,

Thanks to everyone who wished me well on my Bicycle Touring Trip last summer - I logged over 2350 miles from Vancouver, Canada to the US/Mexico border in a little over a month's time.

DADA Magic Book Now Available

Justin J — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 17:03:19 -0000

The latest version of the Dada Mail, Magic book covers version 2.10.7and includes an Advanced Manual/How To e-book. It is the perfect companion to Open Source List Manager DADA Mail.

Topics include:

1) Advanced Installation Techniques
2) Security and Coding
3) Detailed instructions on the use of DADA Mail and its optional Plug-in/Extensions (Included with package)

The following Plug-ins/Extensions are distributed with the "Magic" Book

1) Beatitude - Scheduled Mailings
2) Subscription List Backups
3) Subscription List Statistics
4) Digest List Support
5) Advanced Multiple Subscription Support
6) Update Email Subscription Support
7) Log Viewer Plug-in
8) Email All List Owners At Once Plug-in
9) Clickthrough Tracker
10) DADA Backup program

To Purchase the package, or for further information, please visit: http://mojo.skazat.com/purchase/book.html

DADA 2.10.9 Alpha 2 Released

Justin J — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 16:58:16 -0000

This is a BETA product. Only users who understand the potential consequences of using a BATA product should install this version.

Release Notes:

Changes:
2.10.9 alpha2
New Features
* White List!
What is the White List?

* A white list is a list of email addresses that are *allowed* to
subscribe to your mailing list.
* It's sort of the opposite of the current, "black list" which hilds
a list of email addresses that are *not* allowed to subscribe to
your mailing list.
* Currently, the white list does *not* do patternmatching
meaning, if you add, "mydomain.com" to the white list, you won't
be able to allow everyone with an email address with,
"mydomain.com" to your mailing list.

How is this useful?

Right now, it's not very useful, except for it's obvious purpose -
you can preselect email addresses that are allowed to subscribe to
your list... but this is just another step in allowing you to hook
an *outside* database to a Dada Mail list - more on this as it gets
a little more mature - but this is the feature I'm trying to work
towards, as another stepping stone to Dada Mail's own multiple
fields.

Things to watch out for:

The White List has been minimally tested - it's most likely broken
in very inconcevable ways in many places. The complete Subscriber
List and Mailing List confirmation system is also, most likely,
broken in interesting ways. You are warned :)

The new whitelist is also fairly unoptimized, so it'll choke on
extremely large white lists. I think.

Also - since there's all these crazy list types now, here's the
precendence when you add a whole bunch of addresses to your list via
the list control panel's, "Manage Subscribers: Add" routine:

* Invalid messages are the first things to be sorted out. After
that:
* duplicates
* blacklisted
* not white listed

So, the white list presently has the lowest precedence of anything.
Remember that for Trivial Pursuit.

* Discussion List Enhancements:

* Minor organization housekeeping of the dada_bridge.pl admin
control panel screen - nothing revolutionary.
* New Option! "Set the To: header of discussion list messages to the
List Address, rather than the subscribers address. "
Does basically what it says - when checked, your discussion list
will work similar to how most traditional discussion lists work.
Unchecking this option will make your discussion list work like
how Dada Mail discussion lists have worked before.

This option currently is only available if you use either the
sendmail command, or the Net::SMTP SMTP engine - this leaves out
the Mail::Bulkmail SMTP engine, which I haven't yet figured out
how to hack to make it work well with this option.

* SpamAssassin Integration! "Ignore messages labeled as, "SPAM" by
SpamAssassin filters."
Does basically what it says. You can also set the what status
you deam is, "Spam" - I think the default is a very liberal,
"10".

This feature is pretty un-optimized - to the point where I can't
use it myself, since it's calling SpamAssassin directly, instead
of using SpamAssassin's spmac/spamd system (thanks for all the
pointers to those!) YMMV, but it may be handy in its current
state to you. When I do figure out how to use the alternative
system, it should be pretty easy to reuse what I've already
made, so it's not the end of the world.

Bugs Fixes (pending):
* 1495336 2.10.8 - Redirect URL for subscription failures... not
http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detail&aid=1495336&gro
up_id=13002&atid=113002

* 1488538 2.10.8 - open message HTML code not being applied?
http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detail&aid=1488538&gro
up_id=13002&atid=113002

DADA 2.10.8 Released (4/18/06)

Justin J — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 16:54:42 -0000

Dada Mail is an intuitive, web-based e-mail list management system, which runs on any hosting account that can execute custom CGI scripts. Dada Mail is also a conceptual art project

This version of Dada Mail includes many new features, including a screen caching scheme, to allow often-used and resouce-intensive HTML web screens to be cached to be shown again, instead of relying on redundant processing of the same information. This version also includes optimizations to Dada Mail's SQL backend, including a unified SQL handle where one SQL connection is used at a time, instead of many. It is suggested that anybody using Dada Mail on a busy website, or a website with limited resources upgrade to this release.

What's new: http://mojo.skazat.com/features/2_10/

This release may be downloaded from:
https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=13002

Dada Mail Discussion Board

Justin J — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 20:46:02 -0000

Have a question about DADA Mail? Need help with the installation? Perhaps you just have a question about one of its features. Whatever the case may be, the Dada Mail Discussion Board is the place to post your questions and or comments. Registration is free. http://mojo.skazat.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi

Dada Mail Security Advisory for Version 2.8.10 and Below

Justin J — Wed, 17 Dec 2003 17:30:07 -0000

There are two security issues concerning all versions of Dada Mail 2.8.10 and below. Please read the security advisory:

http://mojo.skazat.com/project/security-2_8_11.html

If you are runnning a version below 2.8.10

New name, Dada Mail for old program, Project turned into Art

Justin J — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 10:03:47 -0000

Justin Simoni Announces New Name For Mailing List Manager, Turns
Programming Project into Art

Denver, CO - 12/01/03 - Justin Simoni announced today the immediate
release of Dada Mail, (formerly Mojo Mail). Justin states, "I have had
to change the name of my celebrated program due to legal issues with
Mediaplex Inc. which holds the trademark for MOJO Mail."

He continues, "Not that I'm real happy about the name change at all.
This particular program came out initially in December of 1999, with its
first stable release in January of 2000. I'm having a really hard time
understanding why it took Mediaplex Inc. more than three years to get in
contact with me."

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office's website (
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76154709 ), the
"MOJO MAIL" mark was registered to Mediaplex Inc. on November 12th,
2002.

"This is obviously big guy versus little guy and this particular David
doesn't see much reason in pursuing the matter in the legal system."
Instead, Justin has complied with Mediaplex's demands to change the name
of his program. "The decision to comply was simple: Mediaplex has
lawyers, I sleep on a borrowed couch in a basement apartment. It's a red
velvet couch - but still."

More importantly, Justin has also officially turned Dada Mail into an
Art Object, much like the original Readymades of Marcel Duchamp - one of
the founders of the Dada anti-art movement of the early 20th Century.
"Dada Mail" itself is a nod to this original art movement and an
example that a Readymade can still have relevance as long as the object
has conceptual ground to stand on.

"From this day forth, Dada Mail will be the title of an Art Object, not
the name of a computer program. You cannot, as far as I know, Trademark
the title of a piece of Art. I have credentials as an artist and
absolutely none as a businessman or a software engineer. I was an
eighteen-year-old punk kid with green hair when I started working on
this project. If I've learned anything since then, it's that you can
accomplish whatever you try. I'm changing the definition of something
that seemed to be fairly obvious. I hope it at least makes people think.
I can't believe more people haven't done the same in light of recent
Trademark and Patent disputes in the industry."

"Maybe they will."

Dada Mail is Free Software released under the GNU Public License.

Justin currently attends the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in
Denver as a Junior in their Painting and Drawing Bachelors program. A
self-appointed Renaissance man, he strives to be able to make anything
out of anything.

Press Contact: Justin Simoni (720) 436 7701 contact@justinsimoni.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit the Dada Mail project
website ( http://skazat.com/dadaproject ) and Justin Simoni's Portfolio
website ( http://justinsimoni.com )

Mediaplex and MOJO Mail are either registered trademarks or trademarks
of Mediaplex Inc.

Help Wanted - Better Windows Support

Justin J — Mon, 02 Dec 2002 05:45:18 -0000

Mojo Mail can work on a Windows server, with the correct tweaks, but this isn't tested as much as I'd like. Are there any interested souls out there who would like to create a Windows-specific version of Mojo Mail? It may be as easy as creating changes like these:

http://mojo.skazat.com/support/documentation/README-windows.pod.html

zippin' the files back up and throwing them on a server. Any takers?