The Linux Foundation has connected with a new vendor called Groups.io, which provides mailing list services in a simple but modern interface. Groups.io offers all of the capabilities of our existing Mailman mailing service plus additional community tools that make it an exceptional service solution.

We are planning to set your project up with Groups.io service and migrate your existing mailing list archives and user lists, including preferences, tomorrow morning February 8th.

During the migration window you will still be able to access the archives, however the delivery of messages sent to the mailing lists during this window will be delayed until after the migration of the archives and list members are complete. We will turn off new list signups during the migration window, then this functionality will be restored once it is complete.

FAQs

What are the key differences between Mailman and Groups.io?

• Groups.io has a modern interface, robust user security model, and interactive, searchable archives

• Groups.io provides advanced features including muting threads and integrations with modern tools like GitHub, Slack, and Trello

• Groups.io also has optional extras like a shared calendar, polling, chat, a wiki, and more

• Groups.io uses a concept of subgroups, where members first join the project “group” (a master list), then they choose the specific “subgroup” lists they want to subscribe to

How do the costs compare?

• The Linux Foundation can provide project-branded Groups.io accounts to projects for less cost than managing our in-house Mailman systems.

How is the experience different for me as a list moderator or participant?

In many ways, it is very much the same. You will still find the main group at your existing URL and sub-groups equate to the more focused mailing lists based on the community’s needs.

Here is an example of main group and sub-group URL patterns, and their respective emails:

https://lists.projectname.org/g/main

https://lists.projectname.org/g/devs

https://lists.projectname.org/g/ci

main@...

devs@...

ci@...

One of the nice features of Groups.io is that you log in once, and can use the My Groups dropdown in the top menu and easily move between the lists that you are participating in without logging in to each of them separately.

Groups.io’s simple but highly functional UI that will make the experience of moderating or participating in the community discussions more enjoyable.