Introduction

Communication, Marketing, Newsletter, Mailing & Distribution Lists, Email

Mailster - a flexible mailing list solution for Joomla


Similar to programs like Mailman or Listserv this extension allows you to run a discussion mailing list.

That means that every email sent to a central email address is forwarded to the rest of the members of the list. When members reply to such emails Mailster again forwards them to the other list recipients.

Mailster allows your users to be part of a group and communicate by email without having to log into your Joomla site.

This is primarily made with discussion email lists (two way communication) in mind, although Mailster can also be used for newsletters.

Features
- For Group communication and newsletters
- Usable with any POP3/IMAP email account
- Recipients are managed by the admin in the backend
- Users can (un)subscribe with frontend plugin or module (optional)
- All Joomla users can be chosen as recipients, additional users can be stored
- Users can be organized in groups
- Single users or whole groups can be added as recipients of a mailing list
- Replies to mailing list posts can be forwarded to all recipients
- Mail archive for browsing the mails
- Full support of HTML emails and attachments
- Seamless installation: all plugins are included and are installed automatically
- English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Danish, Japanese and Slovenian translation included
- many more features

Designed for all...
- users that are tired of group messaging systems that require another login
- users who want to communicate with their favourite mail client
- admins that are tired of updating personal details on different systems
- admins who want to be able to use users within Joomla as recipients of a mailing list


Changelog
** Version 1.8.1 Bugfix Release (September 17th, 2024)**
- Improve styling in Joomla 5
- Shorten (too) long subjects to the current max. length: 191 characters
- Issue warning when Mailster system plugin (Email Forwarder) has access level not set to Public
- Improve cronjob execution to bail if not all prerequisites are given
- Add selected logging about queue status and actions
- Servers can be published/unpublished/deleted again
- Other fixes

** Version 1.8.0 Major Release (April 4th, 2024)**
- Joomla 5 compatibility (Joomla 3 and Joomla 4 still supported)
- CSV import also supports file with only emails (no name column)
- Improve logging for sending (and errors reported)
- Better checks in cronjob_mailster.php template
- Fix reCaptcha (v2 is still used)
- Fix email character display/modification issues with Baltic encoding
- Bounce emails containing email addresses in angle brackets are showing the addresses
- Admin email archive toolbar buttons are enabled/disabled accordingly to "select all" checkbox actions
- Fix multiple PHP warnings and notices

** Version 1.7.10 Bugfix Release (September 9th, 2023)**
- When moderation is active, the list administrators (serving as moderators) should not need to approve their own messages to the list
- Mailster recognizes when the Joomla email sending is disabled (even though the Joomla mailer is used in one or more active mailing lists)
- Profile plugin (editing List subscription in Joomla user profile in backend) works now for Joomla 4
- Fix error: Non-static method PEAR::isError() cannot be called statically
- Fix issue in CB synchronization (when doing actions in CB backend)
- Fix two bugs related to email digests that could prevent digests from being sent
- Case insensitive blocked email addresses check
- Fix some PHP Deprecated messages (PHP 8.1 and later)

** Version 1.7.9 Bugfix Release (August 2nd, 2023)**
- Remove logging to the database since no longer a recommended way to debug
- When formatted HTML with very long lines is encountered, automatic line splitting may run into issues. e.g. when formatted Text from Google Docs is copied into the email body. This is now fixed.
- Fix CB Bride Plugin issue for saving changes in CB "my account" profile
- Avoid errors with empty body/html/attachments under PHP 8.x
- Fix error 1406 Data too long for column references_to
- Fix subscriber module problem with PHP 8.1/8.2
- Avoid PHP Deprecation Warnings under PHP 8.2
- Better capture enqueuing issues

** Version 1.7.8 Bugfix Release (Jan 20th, 2023) **
- Email without TO recipient will not stop email(s) from being retrieved from the mailing list inbox

** Version 1.7.7 Bugfix Release (Jan 1st, 2023) **
- Update Html2Text library
- Changing install script to use utf8mb4 instead of utf8 for the default character set
- Fix for better SMTP debugging
- Fix issue when no iconv functionality is available for charset conversion
- Fix issue to automatically use the core's DB field collation (of content.title) for Mailster's content fields.

Note that this version has limitations (e.g. max. 50 recipients per list) compared to our commercial products Mailster Essential, Business and Ultimate. Find a feature comparison overview here: http://www.brandt-oss.com/index.php/mailster/pricing

Functionality
It's been our go-to solution for many years, but issues with a J4.1.0 installation have gone unanswered.
Ease of use
Never had a problem setting it up. It's always been a good product for creating a listserv solution.
Support
Multiple support requests regarding a J4.1.0 installation have gone unanswered. It's like Brandt has completely gone off the grid.
Documentation
The documentation appear sufficient, but issues outside of the documentation may go unanswered.
I used this to: I have multiple sites that require listserv needs. Our Joomla 3 installations work fine with v1.7.3 but our Joomla 4 sites are getting errors.
Owner's reply: Paul, I think you have a problem with your email receiving.
I have already replied to you on March 4th, so two weeks ago. Therefore I was surprised to see you mesage me the beginning of the week again about the exact some topic.
It is definitely not the case that you did not get any response. It seems you have not getting them?
I also replied to the second email address of yours (which is still connected to your account at brandt-oss.com) but this returns a bounce ("unroutable address").
Maybe that it is part of the issue with the other domain? Please check.
Functionality
When I click "Add mailing list" it simply shows a white screen! I use Google Chrome and I have the latest Joomla version
Ease of use
Easy to install. Just that.
Documentation
Adequate but doesn't explain such a serious bug.
I used this to: Business purposes.
Functionality
Allows most of the functionality of a traditional mailing list within Joomla. Probably what can be done under the CMS environment.
Ease of use
Setup is easy and intuitive, especially if this is not the first mailing list. Subscription page etc. can be customized within the article.
Support
I had a problem with a bug within the software. Reaction of the developer was within a day. I got a beta version via Dropbox.
Documentation
Structured in the typical developer style. Maybe for less experienced user a workflow based could be helpful. Anyway no flaws detected.
I used this to: Several mailing list including double opt in (fixed in a beta version).
Functionality
This product functions exactly as described.
Ease of use
This product is easy to setup and use.
Support
The best customer service I've ever seen from an extension developer!
Documentation
Excellent and easy to follow.
I used this to: Healthcare listserv

Great extension



Posted on 29 March 2016
Functionality
Does exactly what it should. Great selfmanaged Mailinglist tool
Ease of use
Easy to set up. very well documented through tooltips.
Support
Excelent support. Very quick and accurate responses.
Documentation
I used this to: Sports team mailing lists.

One on its own



Posted on 10 February 2016
Functionality
Excellent product which does exactly as it says on the tin. Highly customisable within the interface. I upgraded to the business edition.
Ease of use
Simple user interface, great integration with Community Builder, simple front end and good archive functionality
Support
Holger responds really promptly and with suggestions for support as well as development. Helped me effectively integrate with sendgrid smtp.
Documentation
clear, simple and easy to use. Good FAQs and trouble shooting
I used this to: Website for 200 lawyers to quickly share information / questions etc. 1 main mailing list for all members and 6 sub-group lists with between 40-70 members in each.
Functionality
Has all the functions we need and works perfect!
Ease of use
Is very easy to configure and handle, needed just support to setup Cronjob to work properly
Support
Support is absolutely PERFECT! Had some problems setting up Cronjob. Received several answers within 1 day and the problem is fixed now!
Documentation
If I would've read the Documentation right, I could've fixed part of the problems with Cronjob myself. Documentation is also very good!
I used this to: Used for our Fire Departement to catch and forward mission statement e-mails from primary control unit (type of danger/fire/accident, caller, location map etc.). Our officers need this information quick on their smartphones and therefore Mailster is perfect! Thanks to Brandt OSS
Functionality
We use Mailster daily to send messages to our membership and even allow our members to send messages through it. Works just like it should.
Ease of use
Our members love it and rely heavily on it. Setup was a breeze.
Support
We have used Mailster for several versions now and the support is excellent. Always gotten a fast response/fix in a matter of hours.
Documentation
Documentation on the site is everything needed to set it up
I used this to: Home School Association Members Site with over 200 members. We have upgraded to Business version and use Mailster daily for multiple mailing lists.

Great bit of software



Posted on 24 August 2015
Functionality
As far as I know it's unique. I does exactly what you want (forwarding emails) really well. You can use Joomla users or add your own. Great
Ease of use
I found it a bit tricky to get used to, but once you do it's very logical and very easy. All the functions you could want.
Support
Yep no problem. The guy that owns it knows his stuff and sorts out the problems quickly
Documentation
I've used this for a long time so I can't remember, but once I'd learned it (pretty easy) I have never needed docs.
I used this to: Several groups that are working on the same project and need everyone to see their emails. Good for people with technophobia. You can have a discussion with just emails (no need for scary forums). I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
Functionality
I'm really happy with the extension, it did just what I need it, simple and easy....
Ease of use
I had to read a little but the answer are interested their faq
Support
Amazing support, I have a small problem and they help me right away... Amazing fast and reliable
Documentation
It's all there so far so good
I used this to: A condominios website

Mailster

Version:
1.8.1
Developer:
Holger Brandt IT Solutions
Last updated:
Nov 01 2024
3 weeks ago
Date added:
Nov 18 2014
License:
GPLv2 or later
Type:
Free download
Includes:
c m p
Compatibility:
J3 J4 J5 J5 (b/c plugin)
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Uses Joomla! Update System

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