DataSprings (DS) module is good but there is a steep learning curve and it can be buggy. The biggest issue is how large your list is. I have a client with over 4500 on their list. Then the issue is not so much whether DS is good rather your outgoing smtp limit. Most are in the 200-500 range per day or per hour, etc. DS I think has a way to delay sending but that might not be acceptable if you need quick delivery. The client is a nonprofit and they use a product called Groundspring (third party).

I would recommend a third party solution like iContact for clients with a large list. One big advantage is that they deal with iContact on all issues of support (not you - except for help setting it up) and the user interface is much easier to deal with for non-DNN people than DS. It is not "in the portal" as far as dnn goes but I have found that clients give a flip about that - they just want something that works.

So, if it is just you and your DNN site with a smallish (hundreds) list I would say go with DS.

If it is a client with a small list I recommend that they use the feedback designer and then manually add them to Outlook and use Bcc: (they already know how to do this and the feedback designer records the info in the database as well as sending them an email).

Client with big list go with iContact.

Thanks,

Will

I am not sure about your DS question on roles - you can download the manual from DataSprings website without purchasing the module (a great thing for any module developer to do IMO).

Yes, by third party I mean NOT integrated with DNN portal, except that you can easily create a 'sign up' module that will allow people to join the list using a text/html module. Important questions for you:

- How many outgoing smtp emails can you send at once? I'll bet it is not 1000.

- Do you really need DNN integration? Sending to people that are registered on your site through DNN login process, etc.?

- How much time do you want to spend setting this up? iContact will be much less time than DS.

One big advantage of iContact-type products is that this is all they do - they deal with spam, bounces, upgrades, etc. so you do not have to. They also have great and detailed reports about who is clicking what in your emails. Note that Snowcovered sells DS OptIn but uses iContact to send out their weekly emails.

The person who is going to make a bundle is the one that comes up with a module/API/integration for an iContact or Constant Contact type product to work with DNN.

Hope this helps,

Will