Module 2 / Email Lists

 

What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards?

Email List Pros

• Effective way of keeping up to date with specific topics, without having to hunt for information.
• Messages go directly to email in-box, allowing you to receive messages as soon as they are posted.
• Ability to passively keep up to date with your interests.
• You can be involved with several groups at once, and receive messages directly in your in-box ~ no need to go onto many different web sites.
• Ability to sort and file away emails by topic.
• Ability to delete emails you don’t want to keep.

Email List Cons

• Be aware of which groups you join. If they are not moderated, you could expose your email address to junk/spam/off topic emails.
• Not as interactive with members of the group.
• It’s possible to be inundated with numerous emails every day, many of which you may have no interest in.
• Finding the right group for you can be daunting… too much choice an a lot of rubbish ou there !

Discussion Board Pros

• Discussion Board is listed by topic, making it easier to search for specific informaton / solutions / interests you require.
• Asynchronous communications mean you can look back at past posts to find solutions for issues which members have already solved (or offered opinions about).

Discussion Board Cons

• Asynchronous communications mean you may be reading a discussion topic which has long since passed it’s use by date, so your questions / views may never be replied to.

 

Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?

Hunter Gatherer…
I tend to go out looking for information when I need it, so the Discussion Board suits that type of endeavor.  I find Discussion Boards are more of an active way to participate in a community of people with the same interests.

OR

Home Delivery…
The email lists to me seem a little hit and miss. Far too much choice.  I joined a couple of Yahoo Groups, just to find the contents had nothing to do with my interests. 
I think I get more in-depth information from emails sent to me by companies or official organisations I have joined ~ at least I know exactly what these organisations represent.
Maybe I am just set in my ways, but I can’t see that the millions of opinions floating through cyberspace will enrich my life (yes, I am turning into a gumpy old man!).