[analog-help] Discussion: forum vs mailing list

[Duke Hillard]

I value mailing lists over forums for several reasons.

 * I like the "demanding" nature of mailing lists.  This
    helps me to read the mailing list on a regular basis.
    I don't benefit from a list unless I read it regularly.
    Because there is no comparable "demand" from a
    forum, I seldom revisit a forum.

 * With a mailing list, I can easily locate my last read
    message, because my e-mail client brings me there.
    With a forum, I might need to browse backwards
    several pages to find the oldest unread message.

 * I find mailing lists require less time to read because
    messages are already on my machine.  In forums, I
    often experience delays when I run out of messages
    on one page and must wait for the next page.

 * I notice that mailing lists have meaningful subject lines.
    Many forums are filled with "Help Me" subject lines.

 * Mailing list searches usually produce more relevant
    results for me than do forum searches.

HTH,

-- Duke
 

Stephen Turner wrote:

>Hello everyone,
>
>I'd value your opinions on the issue of web forums vs mailing lists.
>
>A few people recently have offered to host an analog forum; or alternatively
>insisted that I should have a forum because they didn't want to subscribe to
>a mailing list.
>
>Analog has had mailing lists for mainly historical reasons -- they pre-date
>the widespread use of forums. Nevertheless, I see some advantages in mailing
>lists: (i) they prompt you to read them, rather than you having to remember
>to go and read them, so readers are more likely not to drift away; (ii) I've
>always regarded forums as in danger of attracting trolls -- mailing lists
>seem to suffer from this less, perhaps because the bar to participation is a
>little bit higher; (iii) lots of people can archive them, so you're not
>dependent on the site staying alive for retaining your whole discussion
>history.
>
>Having said that, it's undeniably true that people now find the web
>interface more convenient, and they like not having to subscribe.
>
>What do other people think? Should I move to a forum for the tech support?
>Or would better promotion of the existing web archives of the list be good
>enough (you can read the list there, but not post)?
>
>I don't see having both as a good solution, by the way, except for a
>transitional period.
>
>  
>

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