Net11 SP2 2009

"You may want to read a comparison of different communication types at How Stuff Works Think about the following questions (it may help to discuss them with other students on the discussion board) " (Allen, M n.d)

• 
  What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards?
• 
  Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?
  
• Record your conclusions in your learning log

In my experience, lists can be useful, entertaining & informative. The can be equally useless, offensive & annoying. Myearl experiences with list were the latter, I'd signed up to mostly un-moderated groups which meant anyone could join and post anything they wanted to - usually spam or highly offensive material.

My list subscriptions have now been refined, I now belong to only two. The first one is my local area freecycle, a group that enables me to recycle my unwanted goods, take up an offer of someone elses goods or ask specifically for something I need that someone else has and no longer requires - for free. If your not a member of your local group (and it's worldwide), I suggest you join, One man's trash is anothers treasure as they say.

My second subscription is to a Fabric co op, a group of like minded adults into sewing that purchase fabric/products at wholesale prices and split the product/fabric. I'm able to ask for the opinions on fabric/sewing supplies and receive answers and get dramatically cheaper items.

I have the option to receive individual emails, or a daily digest containin all the emails from that list for that day or not to receive any mail but insted go to the site to read all updates.

For me these lists are great, there is never any ' off topic' talk and never any spam.

Allen, M n.d "Module Two: Communicating in the infosphere" Retrieved on June 18, 2009 from http://lms.curtin.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapps%2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse%26id%3d_18825_1%26url%3d