Practical limits for mailing lists

[jlarson]

I use mailman to send out html newsletters. My list continues to grow (about 325 now), and I'm wondering at what point I should be concerned about overtaxing the cpu. I've read the threads on cpu usage, and had one of my own clients get their account shut down here for sending a bulk mailing of 2000 emails.

So I'd like to have some idea of where safe territory is. How many can I safely mail out with a list? How much does the size of the email matter? I've read the threads on cpu usage here but haven't found this issue addressed. I'm not trying to push the limit--I just have no idea and would like to avoid any trouble.

[dj1s]

To add to this question; what about batch processing, like say x mails every y minutes.

Lets say you had 2000 subscribers; what would be a good setting?

[brett]

Amen! I too would like this addressed... One of my clients lost sales because of this communication void, reflecting on my company's services and abilities.

[Buddha]

Those are good questions but I doubt you'll find a definitive answers. Too many variables not only between servers, scripts/programs, mailing lists, newsletters but even just from day to day. Today's fine, but tomarrow some twit leases a virus that has half your emails timing out.

If your going to be mailing out thousands of emails maybe it's time to look into something like bulk e-mailer services. There's more than one way to out grow a shared server.

[andeelym]

Just had one of my domains being suspended due to newsletter sending. 300+ at a single go.

I inquired about the limit which I should send out emails and Andrew mentioned that 10 emails per 10 seconds is ok.

I'll be looking into solutions for my client that I can adhere to the advised timing. Anyone any ideas?

[halyfax]

phplist has some good features for sending in groups. if you outgrow phplist I suggest using your isp for the outgoing smtp and using a non dathorn domain email for the from: adress, that way you are never using the server.

P

http://www.interspire.com/sendstudio/

http://www.mailworkspro.com/

http://www.oemp.com/

http://www.yourmailinglistprovider.com/

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusine...lb/detail.mspx

http://topica.com/

http://www.2bpop.com/

[ChrisTech]

phplist has some good features for sending in groups. if you outgrow phplist I suggest using your isp for the outgoing smtp and using a non dathorn domain email for the from: adress, that way you are never using the server.

P

http://www.interspire.com/sendstudio/

http://www.mailworkspro.com/

http://www.oemp.com/

http://www.yourmailinglistprovider.com/

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusine...lb/detail.mspx

http://topica.com/

http://www.2bpop.com/

I personally have topica.com blacklisted on all of my accounts as well as in my home email program. I get more spam, and unwanted email from their lists (I know its people using their service, but when you get 20-30+ per day on an email address and attempting to un-subscribe only creates more email...well, you get the picture)

www.coollist.com is an alternative for an email list as well. Though they do put a small text ad at the bottom, but from what I've seen, there is no actual limit on how many emails you can send out on it. And oh yah, its free. I have 622 users on my list, and no issues yet (weekly mailing)