[Mailman-Users] preparing for upgrade

[Andrew Watson]

Many of the messages to this list describe difficulties users have 
had in upgrading from one version to another, while preserving 
existing lists, archives, preferences, etc. I must perform such an 
upgrade soon (from 2.0.7.  to 2.1.2), and wonder whether there is a 
comprehensive treatment somewhere of the steps one should take to 
insure a successful migration. My lists are on an ISP that provides 
the mailman application, so there are limits to my control over the 
situation. I have read the "UPGRADING" document in the installation 
package, but it is very skimpy on details, and does not mention 
archives at all. The issues that I am aware of are:

archives - I want them to be preserved, and for new mail to be 
seamlessly added to the existing archives

aliases - I realize these need to be upgraded. the README.bsd file 
gives no info on how to do this

list options - how do i preserve these?

subscriber lists and their preferences - how do i preserve these?

general - what needs to be backed up and restored, and how does one 
do the restoration? (just copy the files back to the place they used 
to be?)

Again, I am happy to RTFM if someone can point me to the FM. I am 
reluctant to pore over hundreds of fragmentary answers in the 
archives of this list, though I will do that if necessary.

Thanks for any help you might provide.

Andrew