Classroom using the web

Mailing Lists, Egroups and other methods of Communication

Classroom

[ introduction ]
[ what exactly is a mailing list ]
[ moderated vs. unmoderated ]
[ read only lists]
[ setting up and joining lists]
 [ handy hints ]

[ introduction ]
[ what exactly is a mailing list ]
[ moderated vs. unmoderated ]
[ read only lists]
[ setting up and joining lists]
 [ handy hints ]

[ introduction ]
[ what exactly is a mailing list ]
[ moderated vs. unmoderated ]
[ read only lists]
[ setting up and joining lists]
 [ handy hints ]

[ introduction ]
[ what exactly is a mailing list ]
[ moderated vs. unmoderated ]
[ read only lists]
[ setting up and joining lists]
 [ handy hints ]

Not Email, not Newsgroups, but... Mailing Lists, Egroups and other methods of Communication

One of the coolest things about the net is the feeling that you can find anyone out there. If you have a question, someone out there will know the answer. An unusual hobby? Well don't worry, there's someone out there with have the same activity, even if you think it's pretty off the wall.

One of the best ways to come across these like-minded people is to join a mailing list. Like newsgroups you will find mailing lists that cover pretty much any topic you care to name, from amateur writers' groups to people interested in a particular sport or hobby, or people working in a particular field. Some websites also offer lists you can join which will tell you when their site is updated or send you other new content, so you can keep track of all the useful sites you find that way. You can join a list whenever you like by subscribing to it, and unsubscribe again if you find it's not what you want. Lists can be large or small, formal or informal, for work or fun. Basically the key point of a mailing list is that all the people on it have a common interest. There's not even any new software to look at, because the whole thing works through automatically sent emails. Simple as that.

So what exactly is a mailing list?

Basically, a mailing list is a bit like having the discussions of a newsgroup done through email. A mailing list has a list manager who administrates the list (and probably started it up too). Any messages sent to the list are sent to the list manager and are then automatically sent on from there as an email to every list member. When a member of the list checks for new email, the list messages are delivered just like any other email. In other words, if you send a message to the list, everyone who is subscribed to receive messages from the list will get them. I told you it was simple!

Lists come in lots of shapes and sizes, and more often than not you will find that they are run automatically using mailing list software or sites such as Yahoo or Excite Groups. There is no real difference in the lists apart from the way they are managed, so don't worry too much about the differences.
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Moderated vs Unmoderated

Mailing lists can be either moderated or unmoderated. Basically the only difference between the two lists is that a moderated list has a list owner or manager who reads the message before sending it to the wider group -- usually this is to keep messages "on-topic" (ie relevant to the list) or make sure that mails go out in reader friendly formats rather than censor things people say. Unmoderated lists tend to have more off topic messages, and also allow people to send spam (junk advertising email etc), but generally this is not a major irritation.
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Read Only Lists

Some mailing lists you will sign up to are read only lists. You sign up for news, information updates, horoscopes or whatever to be delivered to your Inbox but there is no facility for you to send a message to everyone else on the list yourself. These kinds of lists are a useful way of cutting down on communication costs whilst publicising events and work, and it is likely that organisations will give you a way to sign up on their website for lists such as these. It's also worth considering whether you'd like to start your own for the same purpose.
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Setting up and Joining Lists

Generally mailing lists are pretty user friendly. If you have found a mailing list you want to join then if you follow the instructions you should find subscribing to it quite straightforward. If you do find you're getting sent error messages, then re-read the instructions for subscribing. This can be a particular problem with automated mailing lists where you will be given very specific subscription instructions. You need to follow them exactly as they are written (eg leaving spaces, and adding " marks wherever you need to) or you won't get subscribed properly. Generally lists where you have to do this will have "majordomo" or "listproc" in the address.

If you haven't found the mailing list of your dreams yet, try http://groups.yahoo.com for a large international directory of lists (and the opportunity to start your own!). The regional Yahoos also have mailing list facilities (eg yahoo.co.uk, yahoo.de) so check those out. You can also try the amazing Directory of Public Mailing Lists site at http://paml.alastra.com although this tends to be mostly American lists.

If you do decide to set up your own mailing list, the easiest way to do it is through Yahoo Groups. It's very easy to follow and worth a look.

Generally when you join a mailing list you will be sent a welcome message. This will tell you how to post messages, contact the administrator, or unsubscribe if you ever want to. It might also give you a hint on how formal the list is and the do's and don'ts of sending messages.
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Handy Hints

Now we've looked at the basics, here are a few tips for handling those mailing lists...

* Netiquette Netiquette Netiquette An obvious one by now, but make sure to follow the basic pleasantries. Read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) if they have one, and lurk for a bit if you can before you get going. Be polite. Try and keep you messages short and relevant and give all your mails useful subject lines. And try not to send administrative messages to the entire group when you just want to send it to the administrator. Nothing is more frustrating than getting a load of emails, which say, "unsubscribe" and nothing else ;-)

* Using webmail One of the problems with joining mailing lists is that you can end up with hundreds of messages a day flooding your mailbox. Try and resist the urge to sign up for too many lists on one email account -- if you are going to be subscribing to several lists it might be worth setting up a free email address with Hotmail, Yahoo or whoever and getting mailing list messages sent to that.

* Another way of keeping your Inbox clear -- Digests You will find that some mailing lists give you the option of receiving mails as digests. This means that a full day's worth of messages is delivered to you as one large message at the end of the day. This is a useful way of clearing the clutter from your Inbox whilst still reading all the messages from the list.

* If you are subscribed to any Yahoo Group mailing lists and find the number of messages you're getting too much, then if you go into your user options you will find you can change the settings to "read on the web". Then you won't get any messages at all until you change your settings. (Good if you're going on holiday and don't want 2000 emails when you get back!).. [ back to top of page ]

And now you're ready for the next tutorial: Searching on the Internet