Web Based Discussion Forum Vs. ListServ

[japes89]

I hope some people are still up....

I am trying to find out the pros and cons of using a ListServ software ( like Majordomo ) versus web based discussion groups ( like here at TekTips ) with respect to general audience consumption.

Have your IT personnel or others push you to go one way or another? Why?

I am trying to make an argument that most internet frequenting Joes like myself have one or two email addresses that we check regularly, and are tired of cleaning out full mail boxes due to SPAM, or even legitimate mail form co-workers that nothing but small discussion streams that fill up your inbox space.

FYI....A ListServ is software where you can signup for a discussion group where a reply to the certain email address gets copied to all recipients, everytime. Management like adding or removing recipients is also done by email messages. ( Can get costly in inbox space )

Whereas Web BAsed Discussions ( WBD ) can notify you of an update, IF YOU CHOOSE, etc.

Can anyone write back with what they have seen in and implemented in their organizations???

Thanks

JP _______________________________________________
OutsideIntranets.com
Stop wasting time, get to work

http://www.outsideintranets.com

 

[cian]

Hi,

Basically I would have said the same as you!
I get TONS of mail daily from a listserv and it does fill me mailbox. I currently have over 200 unread mail which I can't get time to go through.

A message board is a much better idea IMHO. To start with, all the information is contained in one place, not 200 seperate mails. Easier to administer a message board. You don't clog your mail box, you only get messages when you want to, by logging in and checking them etc.
More organisation about a thread, you dont get 20 people mailing each other about a point, all discussions are on the board "in the open"
Thats all I can think of now..



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(DRAFT VERSION)

 

[japes89]

Thank you, any others have any opinions? _______________________________________________
OutsideIntranets.com
Stop wasting time, get to work

http://www.outsideintranets.com

 

[palbano]

http://zwiki.org/WikiWikiWeb

 

[moirakris]

From a user standpoint and not administer:

Listservs can be nice, if it is a small list and you set your preferences to DIGEST MODE. If you don't you're in for a world of hurt. Once it get's to be a large list and if you are set to individual replies then you are forever cleaning out your mailbox...heck I would delete listservs I was interested in reading just because looking at my inbox of 250 messages was too overwhelming.

I like forums. The topics are threaded, I don't have to worry about someone posting a reply that didn't quote the previous email because I can scroll up to refresh my memory instead of trying to hunt down an email from a week ago. No worries about having to "go on hold" from a forum like you sometimes do with a listserv.

My two cents
Moira
"Those that stop learning, stop living."