About mailing lists
One way that discussions are conducted on the Internet is using a "mailing list" or "listserv". Mailing lists can also be used to distribute announcements. A file with the addresses of "subscribers" is maintained and messages are easily sent to all subscribers. Most mailing lists are implemented via special software called a "listserv" or "mailing list manager" (MLM) which is unfortunately easily confused with the term manager for the human "owner" - see below. Listserv's have a way to "subscribe" , "unsubscribe" and modify subscriptions usually via a web site. (Formerly it was common to send commands by email to a second address.) "Listserv" is actually the name of one specific MLM but like Kleenex is widely used as a generic term and is used to refer both to the software and to one discussion. Discussion lists use an email address for the "list" which has the special effect of forwarding copies of the message to all of the "subscribers" to the list. Thus all participants in the discussion have the opportunity to read messages via their mailbox and send messages to all participants. Since messages come to their inbox they see new discussion when they check their mail unlike other ways of conducting discussions which require participants to 'go to the discussion'. With announcement lists only one or a few people are allowed to post messages. A dedicated editor is often responsible for choosing items, editing and posting announcements. Mailing lists have a person known as the manager (or owner, admin or even a "list mom" ) who helps with problems (commands don't always work...). They are happy to assist you. Some lists have a moderator who reviews messages before they are distributed. In my opinion, well organized mailing lists have should have Web browsable and searchable "archives" of messages that have been distributed. Lists should have an associated "Info page" on the web that includes information: o How to subscribe / unsubscribe etc. o Introduction to the topic o Link to the archives o Link to archive search capability o List rules, etiquette, idiosyncrasies etc o Address of the list manager Like many functions on the Internet there is no fee associated with the vast majority of mailing lists. In the era of SPAM, good lists also require subscribers to confirm their commands by replying to a coded confirmation message or use a password. This prevents for example some third party from subscribing you without your knowledge. Another thing discussion listservs do to reduce SPAM is to only allow subscribers to post messages. EXAMPLE of an announcement list: Pax Conversational Salon in St Paul, Minnesota EXAMPLE of a discussion list: Cohousing-L Info Page Some discussion mailing lists send significant numbers of messages per day. Most such mailing lists offer an optional "digest mode" which groups multiple messages (usually those for one day) in one email message. This reduces the number of messages and makes it easier to manage your mail tho it does introduce a delay in getting mail and complicate replying. Commands are available to change mail mode. Mailing lists often offer a "no mail mode" which can be used to temporarily stop getting mail (for vacations for example) or to allow one to read messages via the web archives without getting them by email. (A no mail mode "sub" allows one to post messages.) See also Communications for Justice, my organization that manages lists that promote justice.. -- Fred H. Olson fholson at cohousing.org Minneapolis,MN 55411 612-588-9532 Amateur radio: WB0YQM