Action Items
New
[AI] {SteveO} will put a link to the web form of the survey on the WG’s website.
[AI] {Jill, Jim and John-Paul} will discuss what is needed to present models to a development group and have developers incorporate the models into their work.
[AI] {Jim} will solicit feedback about the models from the mailing list survey respondents.
[AI] {Jill} will send the model presented at the MList session at the Fall Internet2 Member Meeting to the group.
[AI] {Jill} will compile a list of what survey respondents desire from mailing list software by the next meeting.
[AI] {John-Paul} will work to find someone interested in packaging and maintaining Sympa for Fedora Core.

Carry Over
[AI] {Jim} will inform the group via the list of updates to the domain model incorporating Sympa developers’ comments.
[AI] {Jim and John-Paul} will discuss local-interface preference storing of attributes. And, will send a brief summary of the discussion to the WG via the list.
[AI] {SteveO} will gain a better understanding of Sympa documentation and translation requests and coordinate follow up w/ Renee and Jill.
[AI] {Jill} will send the URL for the workshop presentation to the list when available.
[AI] {Jill}, {Jim} and {John-Paul} will discuss the object and domain model intersection points.
[AI] {Jill} will develop VO survey distribution list.
[AI] {Jill} will follow up with NSF and DOE for possible VO survey candidates.

Attendees
Jill Gemmill, UAB (Chair)
John-Paul Robinson, UAB
Jim Phelps, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Paul Russell, University of Notre Dame
Terrie Clark, Internet2
Lisa Hogeboom, Internet2
Steve Olshansky, Internet2

To date, eighteen Internet2 member institutions have responded to the mailing list survey. Most responding institutions are medium to large in size. Respondents report using a variety of mailing list software applications. The group is concerned about the lack of responses from smaller institutions. A few of the respondents have already begun evaluating commercially available mailing list software applications for current and future functionality.

The purpose of the WG’s models is to provide a visual explanation of functionally how a mailing list software application could and should interface with middleware. The models are intended to be clear enough to be discussed with individuals unfamiliar with middleware applications. Their input will be the valuable next step in determining further uses for the models.

It was discussed that the Mailman software application may be a good candidate, to determine if and how Mailman developers are planning to define middleware integration as a future requirement for the application. The group discussed giving more thought as to how to present the models to Mailman developers and engage them in a discussion to gain feedback about the usefulness of the models. The group will also discuss the development direction based on the models with Mailman developers. The group will have ongoing internal discussions to determine potential requirements of a discussion with Mailman developers. Similarly, the group will continue discussing the domain model with Sympa developers.

Once complete, the models will be used to determine missing components from existing mailing list software products. Additional desired features will be compiled from the mailing list survey results. This will enable educational institutions to include the desired features as requirements when selecting mailing list software.

It was agreed that there is utility and value in packaging Sympa as an open source application so it could be accessible with popular R&E platforms. The group will query Internet2 members to ascertain interest in packaging Sympa.

As the next regularly scheduled call would have fallen on the day before the US Thanksgiving holiday, the next call is Wednesday, December 8, 2004 at 12:00PM ET.