Module 2 - Email Lists v's Newsgroups

Pictured above is my contribution to a newsgroup regarding problems with windows XP, boring I know but it was one I could get onto.

What are the Pros and Cons of email lists v's discussion boards?

Email Lists
As per the study notes supplied, a list automatically allows the distribution of email to groups of people that have consented to receiveing those messages and have the right to send mail to others. The aim is to be able to share information that interests members on the list.
Mail is sent to a lists address and from there the mail is sent out to the people who have subscribed to the list

Newsgroups or Discussion Boards
Newsgroups are places on the Internet where people can contribute to a discussion by leaving a message of interest.
Newsgroups exist on thousands of topics and are useful for building online communities and bringing people together with similar interests. They are like an electronic notice board. There are thousands of newsgroups that cover many different topics

Lists - Pros

• Information of interest is emailed directly to you


• Members of the lists actually want to be on the lists, this creates better communication between the members


• Can unsubscribe from a list


• Lists are monitored

Lists - Cons

• Lists have rules regarding certain types of information


• Can receive a lot of spam when subscribing to a list


• Have a responsibility when subscribing to a list


• The information that you post can be read by many different people even if you only want to direct to certain groups.


• Can fill up your inbox quite quickly
  

Newsgroups - Pros

• Newsreaders provide search functions, this allows you to sort through a list of groups and find the one that best suits your needs


• Newsgroups can either be moderated or open depending on the requirements of the newsgroup


• An Internet browser is often the only program required to participate in an online discussion


• Newsgroups bring people together who share common interests


• Gauge public opinion or strength of feeling about certain topics or interest
  

Newsgroups - Cons

• Can contain innappropriate content for some readers


• Can contain sexually related images that are inappropriate for some readers


• It is easy for children to download images and participate in sometimes inappropriate discussions


• Can be the victim of 'flaming'
  

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

In my limited experience, discussion boards are better suited to people who want to log in and participate in a discussion when they feel like it. When you are a member of an email list, you automatically recieve information in your inbox that you then have to wade through to see if there is anything of any interest to you. The thread in discussion boards seems much easier to follow and you do not have to respond if the subject if it is of no interest to you or you have limited time.

Lists seem better suited to people who like to share their thoughts on a particular interest or subject. When you subscribe to an email list it can quickly fill up your inbox and this can create problems when trying to identify what is of interest to you and what is not.

Because of the time factor and the fact that the threads are easier to follow, I much prefer to use discussion boards like the one that we have set up in this course.