[H+T--Friends] Out of Office Meltdown - TRBHealth

12 Jul 2013

I am the list administrator so let me first apologize for the meltdown 
yesterday.  Apparently Rajiv's "out of office" automatic response was 
not recognizing that it was causing a massive loop. I was surprised to 
see it happen since most email systems now have protections so infinite 
loops do not happen.  Technically it was either a poorly configured 
mailer or a purposeful out-of-office configuration that responds to 
every email forgetting that we get email from entities other than just 
people.

So how do we prevent it from happening again?  First, on your end make 
sure to check the setting in you out of office responders.  They are all 
different but there is usually a place where you can put exceptions in 
for who gets a response. I am sure no one on this list cares when you 
are out of the office.

On my end when I see people whose out of office response hits the list I 
go and put them under moderation.  What that means is when they post it 
gets delayed since I have to review it.  This is a manual process and 
sometimes hours can go buy before I check my email and review moderated 
posts.  I am also working to get one or two more administrators.

What I did yesterday, once I realized the melt down was happening was to 
shut down the list from all traffic.  I needed to let everything settle 
down.  I am not sure exactly when it all started but it was going on for 
about an hour or more before I realized it.  I was working offline and 
not monitoring email.

Again, I apologize and I feel bad that several people unsubscribed as a 
result.  Hopefully they will find their back.  Finally, if you use out 
of office responders take a look at all the configuration settings.  If 
anyone knows more about configuration settings and wants to share what 
people can do I am sure folks on this list would be happy to hear.

Remember if I see your out of office response get posted you will go 
under moderation.

-- 
Ed Christopher
708-283-3534 (V)
708-574-8131 (cell)

FHWA RC-TST-PLN
4749 Lincoln Mall Drive, Suite 600
Matteson, IL  60443