What are some good economical software packages or web based methods
for managing the e-mailing of a newsletter. Subscriptions and removals
should be automated. Our requirements are relatively simple currently
and our list size will start small. I seek an answer from a reseracher
with first-hand experience.

I would recommend ListServ Lite which is free if it's going to be used
for non-profit. The free version allows you 10 lists, with up to 500
subscribers a list.

http://www.lsoft.com/download/default.asp?item=listservfree

skermit-ga

Hi skermit - Thanks for the tip. I checked the link. Anyone who goes
to the extent they do to hide pricing is usually bad news IMO. (We are
not non-profit.) -- swisscheese

also curious if anyone knows where to get
a email list supporting site, i have 500-1000
people in a group, and i was warned that even
though it is not spam, my isp might consider it.

Hi swisscheese,

You may want to take a look at my previous answers to
newsletter-related questions at...

http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=93843

http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=54763

I hesitated to provide the information as an answer, as both services
are more for newsletter production than list management.  However both
offer tools (not particularly automated) for subscription management. 
See what you think.

regards,

rico

Swisscheese-

Might I recommend Mojo Mail (available at http://mojo.skazat.com/).
According to the site, "Mojo Mail is an intuitive, web-based e-mail
list management system, which runs on any hosting account that can
execute custom CGI scripts." The best part is, it's absolutely free,
and I will attest to the fact that it is easy to install. I am a
self-taught web designer have had no problems with the program on
multiple occassions. In addition, the creator of the script provides
contact information and plans for installation if you have trouble
with it.

Let me know if you need any more information regarding Mojo Mail.
Regards,
prattboy

Rico - Thanks for the info although not quite what I was looking for.

Prattboy - Thanks - that might do the trick! 

-- Swisscheese