Stop the mail, I want to get off!
UPDATE: A new notification system has been implemented and is in use. Existing notification list addresses have already been brought to the new system and a welcome message sent to them. New subscribers may join the daily or weekly lists at the subscription page.
This site is growing and as it does it is beginning to get too big for some of its features. The email notification system is one of the items that is becoming less than satisfactory.
Currently we are using the notification system built into the site posting software. Drawbacks include a blind subscription (no confirmation required) and an inability to regulate the number of emails received. As more readers contribute stories as well as follow-up information on archive posts the number of emails being sent is increasing to the point that it is annoying some readers.
I am evaluating 3rd party email subscription/notification systems now. The target is a system that is easy to subscribe to, easy to unsubscribe from (currently I have to manually unsubscribe readers) and that can be customized by the reader to receive instant updates, a daily digest or a weekly newsletter.
Please bear with the increased volume for the time being. I’ll have a new system in place as soon as possible.
If you’re looking for a new CMS that would give increased flexibility and better handle the traffic, I very highly recommend Drupal. After playing around with other CMS/blogging softwares and finding them quite lacking, I came across Drupal. I’ve now deployed it on three of my sites and have had no regrets. I’m not affiliated with the project in any way — just a very satisfied user.