Rick,
Regarding your emails[1][2] on BALUG list configuration changes, thanks for bringing these matters to our attention.
I had no idea that that many changes were going on - and many quite inappropriate. I certainly agree, they should be discussed and agreed upon - or at minimum, at least whomever does such should note the relevant bits to the "admin" list so that folks are aware what was changed (and why), and if there's reason to correct/revert/debate/whatever, at least folks have a clue what was done, by whom and what their rationale was (whether or not it makes sense overall for the list is another matter - but does help to know why someone did something - as there may be an issue/problem that should be addressed (or they thought should be addressed) ... but may have picked inappropriate or suboptimal approach to "fix"/address the issue).
In any case, it sounds like the level and number of changes going on are far exceeding what should be the case - particularly with lack of communication, and at least generally, agreement upon them. Of all the changes you mentioned, over the past several *years*, I've probably been guilty of transgressing 2 or perhaps 3 of them ... once each ... but sounds like there's a helluva lot more changes going on than are readily accounted for.
To that end, I'd *strongly* suggest it's (well past) time for new list admin password(s) - it's been a few zillion years since we changed them - and a rather large number of folks have been exposed to them (and they do go across the net in the clear :-/) ... anyway, I think it's time to change them.
As you probably use those passwords more frequently than anyone else (or at least I presume that should be the case) please feel free to pick good secure password(s) at your earliest convenience for all three lists (or if you prefer, let me know, and I'll pick password - but I tend to pick quite random cryptic ones). As to whom should get those passwords - let's start quite small - we can always expand that "small" circle if/when appropriate/warranted. As to who, I'd say we start with just these folks, and keep the admin list advised of any additional folks we share the password(s) with: Rick Moen rick@linuxmafia.com Michael Paoli Michael.Paoli@cal.berkeley.edu Jim Stockford jim@well.com (My) rationale for picking the above 3 - at least as initial set: Rick Moen rick@linuxmafia.com - does the most active (and best :-)) list management/wrangling for the BALUG lists (and thank you very much for all your work on that!) Michael Paoli & Jim Stockford - other than Michael Hubbard (Michael Hubbard hasn't been actively involved in BALUG list administration in quite a while, but he still has access ... and quite voluntarily foots the Dreamhost bill for BALUG (he's also got a bunch of his own stuff on Dreamhost)) ... Anyway, Michael Paoli & Jim Stockford have (delegated to them) most all the admin stuff that can possibly be delegated from Dreamhost (so - we have access to reset password, copy (or trash :-/) the database, main production website, etc.) ... so wouldn't make much sense to not share the password with the two of us - since we inherently have access anyway; also, other than Rick Moen, I probably play next most active role in list administration stuff (well, if we don't count the apparently large quantity of inappropriate changes going on).
Anyway, ... hopefully that will sufficiently cover it - at least for now. Most folks don't need to be on as list admins, ... three is probably a good (not too small or too large) number - we can adjust if/when appropriate.
Again, Rick, thanks much for your help and all your work on this, and sorry to hear that it was getting that out-of-hand. Time to reign in at least a fair chunk of that chaos.
references/footnotes 1. http://lists.balug.org/pipermail/balug-admin-balug.org/2009-April/000651.htm... 2. http://lists.balug.org/pipermail/balug-admin-balug.org/2009-April/000652.htm...