Email from Grand Lodge of Texas

[js4253]

My email provider (att) has blocked email from grandlodgeoftexas.org. Are any of you having the same problem? I just spent about an hour with the att help line trying to resolve the problem with no resolution. They tell me that if they block email because they suspect spam or what ever, they will send a email to grandlodgeoftexas for a response, if they don't get a response they continue to block. In the meantime I don't get anything from GLOT.

 

[Wingnut]

must be why i havent gotten any either. Its getting blocked at the server level, not at the spam filter level. That is the ATT policy, if they get complaints about spam they block the domain from sending email. Since we have an internet committee member on here, maybe he can look into it. It will have to be dealt with from the GLOT system admin level.

 

[RJS]

I was wondering why I never get any emails from GLoT.

 

[david918]

Same here I used to get the monthly update for secretaries but havn't in over a year.Our SW still gets it on e-mail and forwards it to me

 

[Jon D. Smith]

It is indeed a problem. About a month ago, I was emailing back an forth with members of the GL internet committee. You may have noticed when you signed up for emails on the GL website, there was a mention specifically about issues with Verizon...which happens to be my provider.
http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/mailme.php

I've spoken with a few people at Verizon however; its difficult to get past the Tier 1 folks (mainly in the Philippines) that answer the service number.
Unfortunately, as long as the GL utilizes Virtbiz to host their email propogation, the problem will continue. I've read a few blogs after finding out who they were and have seen other notations out on the Net that it is a recurring problem concerning this particular provider. If the GL switch providers, this could rectify the situation. Of course it would take a bit of research to ensure they just don't move from one problematic provider to another.

Bottom line, if you wish to receive communications from the GL via email, you will have to create a web account with Yahoo, MSN, etc, etc.
I would like to receive the emails from them however; not enough to complicate my digital life by creating an account simply for receiving emails from a single source.

 

[nick1368]

i just thought that they stopped sending emails after the website blew up....

 

[Jon D. Smith]

That blow up was also Virtbiz. As a part for normal server operations, backups should be maintained in the event of server failures. That is exactly what happened, the server failed. Virtbiz did not have a backup as they should have so, the site had to be rebuilt. I presume from an earlier backup. I'm sure a tremendous amount of work was required by the internet committe members to build it back up from the earlier backup to a current site.

In my opinion, an unforgivable error on the part of the business that is being paid to supply the services. Mistakes can happen but, that is what they are in the business of providing. I know that such an error occuring within any of the organizations that I have worked for over the years would have had grave and immediate consequences for the individual responsible for the task. More so in that it's not like the old days where someone had to change out data tapes, now it's just a bit of coding to direct the information to be backed up in a different location.

 

[js4253]

I would like to receive the emails from them however; not enough to complicate my digital life by creating an account simply for receiving emails from a single source.

I agree. You would think the GLOT would do something rather than advise us to get a new email provider. I guess they really don't want to communicate with the masses. If they did, they would fire virbitz, especially after the grand screw up. I notice if one of the Ladies in the office wants to communicate with me they use their personal email address rather than grandlodgeoftexas.org.

 

[Jon D. Smith]

I know that it would have been the straw for me however; I'm quite certain there are background details (that are not readily available) that lend itself to a switch being quite challenging. I would suspect that one of those aspect would be Brothers that could support the transision work. My fortay is more along the transport methods (LAN, WAN, satellite, microwave, etc, etc). I have a little server background but, not much towards the coding side of things...
Now on the normal GL emails, there really shouldn't be an issue conversing. I know I have received emails from the GL Seretary a couple of times and they come through fine. It's just the mass generated emails via Virtbiz.
I will say that in my personal opinion that it's probably time to cut the cord and move along though. If a host is forcing a client to change their way of doing business, and it's to no clear advantage, and it still is not taking care of the target market (us), well then it's cost and effectiveness needs to be strongly evaluated.

 

[Erik X]

I agree. You would think the GLOT would do something rather than advise us to get a new email provider. I guess they really don't want to communicate with the masses. If they did, they would fire virbitz, especially after the grand screw up. I notice if one of the Ladies in the office wants to communicate with me they use their personal email address rather than grandlodgeoftexas.org.

GLIC has spoken to several of the ISPs and our provider about the ongoing issues with the e-mails not arriving at their destination. We've never really received any satisfactory answers. I know Brother Smith took a stab at the email problem and ran into the same blank stares GLIC receives all the time. We are having a meeting to discuss some of the issues we've been encountering and the future of the GL website.

Grand Lodge and GLIC really do want to communicate with the masses; communication is the reason why the website and electronic newsletter were created. We're facing technical (and other) constraints that aren't directly under our control and we're doing what we can with what's available to us.

Hopefully, good things are on the horizon.

-Erik

 

[Jon D. Smith]

Thanks for the input Brother Erik. I thought that a post from you might help the Brothers understand that everyone's concerns on this subject were indeed known and under review for potential solutions by the GLIC.