1. Installation
1.1 The First Start – Program Setup
1.2 Custom
Setup (for Experts)
1.3 Client-Server Installation (for
Experts)
1.4 Update and License Manager
1.4.1 How to unlock the Free Version using a License Key
1.4.2 Update MailList Controller
1.4.3 Upgrade
MailList Controller
1.1 The First Start – Program
Setup
MailList Controller allows custom
setups and can be adjusted for your needs. If you are working the first time
with the program, then you should use the default option "Express Setup",
which will setup MailList Controller with the default configuration.
You can change the settings at any time. To do so, please use item "Options"
in the main program and click on "Core Settings → Run MailList Controller
Core Setup". This will restart the Setup-Wizard and allow you to configure
the basic program settings. (requires to start the program using "Run As
Administrator" on Vista and Windows 7)
The "Express Setup"
uses the default data storage directory location, the service will start at
system startup and the service runs with "local system" user access
permissions.
The "Express Setup" option is recommended for most situations.
1.2 Custom Setup (for Experts)
Data Storage Directory:
The program stores all lists, members and settings inside the "Data Storage
Directory" folder. The default location is inside the "public documents"
or "shared documents" system folder. Its important that all users
(the mailservice runs as "local system" by default) have read/write
access to this folder.
Please don't use a folder inside the "Program
Files" or "Windows" system folder. This will not work under Windows
Vista and Windows 7, because the UAC (User Account Control) does not allow file
sharing inside this folders.
MailList Controller Database:
The program will create an internal database in the selected data storage directory
by default, but its also possible to use your existing SQL server. (Please note,
that this will not work with all SQL servers). Please do not modify the database
by hand – only the program should make changes to the database.
"Use
MailList Controller Database" is recommended for most installations. The
speed of todays computers is much faster then required for the database and
using an SQL server does not speed up the software as long as you don't have
millions of subscribers.
Service Startup:
The
MailList Controller Service has three start-up options.
The mailservice is
a service running in the background and is responsibe for sending messages and
list sychnchronization.
-
Run Service at System-Startup
The service runs without an user being logged in. Use this options if you want to run the service permanent on a server, workstation or if the program should check for incoming messages all the time. -
Start Service at Application Start
The service will be started together with the management application (user interface).
You can also start the service from the Service Control Tray. -
Clientmode: Don't install Service on this machine
You can use this option if you want to run the mailservice on a different machine. One scenario could be: the program is installed on your server and uses a networked (shared) data-directory, but you want to access the lists from a client PC. Install the program in clientmode on the client machine and you can administrate the lists from the client, but the mailservice runs on the server.
Service User Account:
The
mailservice uses the user permissions "local system" by default, but
it could be required to change the user permissions for the mailservice. (e.g.
the data-dir is on a networked drive, which requires different user permissions
to access the database)
Please use the following syntax:
HOSTNAME\username
or .\username
DOMAINNAME\username
You can also change the user from
Start->System->Administration->Services
Select "MailList Controller"
and "Properties". Now change the user.
1.3 Client-Server Installation
(for Experts)
MailList Controller runs as a service, which does not require an user being
logged in. The service runs in the background and has no user interface. It
does most of the work: send out messages, check for incoming messages and update
the memberlists. The user interface is only required to administrate the lists,
messages and options.
This feature allows you to run the mailservice
on your server and the user interface from a client PC. Server and Client will
share the data using a shared directory. There is no other connection required.
The following steps are required for a typical client-server installation:
-
Create a "data" directory on a shared network drive.
-
Install MailList Controller on the server and use "Custom Setup".
-
Select the "data" directory. (Use the directory created in Step 1.)
-
Select "Use MailList Controller Database".
-
Select "Run Service at System-Startup" to make sure the service will start automatically.
-
Enter the user and password if the "local system" account has no access to the specified "data" directory on the shared network drive.
-
Click on "Finish". Now the installation on the server is complete.
-
Click on "Exit" to close the user interface on the server.
-
Install MailList Controller on the client and use "Custom Setup".
-
Select the "data" directory (Use the directory created in Step 1.)
-
Select "Use MailList Controller Database".
-
Select "Clientmode: Don't install Service on this machine".
-
Click on "Finish" to complete the installation on the client.
Now the user interface opens on the client PC and the Service Status should
display "Client Mode".
Important: The user interface can be
used only from one computer at the same time. Its not possible to use the user
interface from multiple clients at the same time. The following illustration
shows the difference between a single computer installation and the client-mode
installation:
1.4 Update and License Manager
Click on "File → Update & License Manager" to open the update and license management.
1.4.1 How to unlock the Free
Version using a License Key
You will receive a license key after you have purchased MailList Controller
Professional or eXtreme version. The
free version does not require a license
key.
Copy and paste the license key from the email to (B) and click on "Validate
License" (C).
Now the program will restart and show the license in (A).
1.4.2 Update MailList Controller
The program will check for updates on startup (by default). You can disable
the automatic "Update Check" by uncheckinig the option (G).
Click on (F) to check for updates (if you have disabled automatic "Update
Check).
The MailList Controller Professional and eXtreme license includes
free updates for 1 year. This means your
license key will work with all versions
released in the "Free Update Period" (E). The release date of the
installed
version will be shown in (A).
Please note, if you install
an update, which was released outside the free update period, then the license
will be
invalid and the version will be updated to the free version. Updates
are optional, you can still use the purchased version or the last free update
after the free update period. The license for the purchased version will never
expire!
1.4.3 Upgrade MailList Controller
Please click on "Upgrade MailList Controller" (G) to upgrade e.g.
MailList Controller Free to MailList Controller
Professional. The program
will open your webbrowser and display the order page for MailList Controller.
You can also upgrade from MailList Controller Professional to MailList Controller
eXtreme.
