3.45. Difference Between a Moderator and Administrator

There are two ownership roles associated with each mailing list. The list administrators are the people who have ultimate control over all parameters of this mailing list. They are able to change any list configuration variable available through these administration web pages.

The list moderators have more limited permissions; they are not able to change any list configuration variable, but they are allowed to tend to pending administration requests, including approving or rejecting held subscription requests, and disposing of held postings. Of course, the list administrators can also tend to pending requests.

In order to split the list ownership duties into administrators and moderators, you must set a separate moderator password, and also provide the email addresses of the list moderators in General Options/Moderator.

Donald A Green wrote:

 How does the moderator log into the admin function. I entered the
 Moderator's email address and a password for moderators, but it isn't
 obvious where they log in. Admin always asks for the Administrator.

The moderator can only go to the "admindb" page. When you go there (e.g. http://www.example.com/mailman/admindb/your_list_name), you will be asked for the moderator password. This can be any of the list's moderator password, the list's admin password or the site password. It is not the moderator's personal password.

The moderator cannot go to the "admin" pages. Only administrators can go there.

-Mark Sapiro

Converted from the Mailman FAQ Wizard

This is one of many Frequently Asked Questions.