Module 2 - Lists

TASK: Think about the following questions -

What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards?
Are there cetain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?

Wow, I was so overwhelmed!

I had never joined an “email list” prior to this course and decided to join a “truecrime” book group. Please note, that since starting study two years ago I have yet to have time to even finish a novel…but alas, I needed to join something that faintly resembles a glinch of my weird personality – true crime being part of that.

I had no trouble finding the yahoo group site and the process of signing up for a yahoo email account and then submitting an application to join the group was painless yet time consuming.

I was quite excited to consider myself an actual “groupie,” so I ventured into my new email account a few days later to see if my first message was received. Well low and behold not only had my message been received and responded to, I also had 1465 messages nicely listed in my inbox.

After browsing through the first 10 and feeling well and truly “over” the truecrime group I was lucky enough to find (for my sanity) a little box which you tick then hit delete and whaaalllllaaaaa – inbox empty.

My opinion of the email list is:

Pros

1. This form of communication may suit people who have time to check their inbox on a regular basis.
2. It is asynchronous which enables people to receive and post in any time zone.
3. No need to contribute to any discussions.

Cons

1. Depending on how popular the email list is you may find that you are inundated with emails, which becomes monotonous and time consuming.
2. If the list is not contributed to regularly then it can become boring.


I found that after perusing my first 10 emails, besides the actual welcome email I received, they seemed to have gone somewhere south of the “truecrime” topic. I found discussions on “what do I put on my lamb, I don’t like mint,” to a discussion about a lady’s son who is having financial problems.

The act of joining an email list may be a perfect introduction to a discussion board. As with the discussion board that we use in our internet studies I personally have similar pro’s and con’s except of course without the inbox bombardment.

If I had the choice I wouldn’t use either email lists or discussion boards, as I really don’t have the time. With that being said and considering the discussion board for our study requirements, I have found the discussion board with Curtin as being very user friendly and when searching for a specific topic I have been able to locate various opinions and lots of help.