I don't see why anyone would have a problem using listserves in terms of email received.
I use Outlook 2007 and I have my email viewed by thread, which allows me to quick delete any thread I in which I'm uninterested. And, if I wanted to, I could set up a folder for messages from a particular list and have them go directly to that folder instead of my inbox, thus avoiding a crowded inbox. Then I just go to the list's folder whenever I want to catch up on the mail. These are basic functions and I assume most other email readers have them??? Even web-based mail systems do, I think... So it seems to me that a hybrid system of listserve convenience and online archiving, such as House of Fusion, provides the best of both worlds. And anyone can setup their handling of email to suit their desire for exposure. However, by choosing the online option only, readers are forced into the use of that single option or nothing. And for lists in which I have only casual interest, if they offerings are online forums only, I don't participate because of the effort and time it takes to constantly visit the forums. I think your client would lose a lot of potential readers/list participants if he chooses online only, instead of offering choice to suit individual needs. Forums *only* is never a good choice, imnasho... :o) Rick -----Original Message----- From: Peter Boughton [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 10:00 AM To: cf-talk Subject: Re: Listserves vs. Message Boards > The client doesn't know...they want the pros/cons. >From what you've said, I'm inferring that they will mostly have 'normal' people using their systems. The main pro of mailing lists is that they're convenient for busy techies. Some cons of mailing lists is that they're limited and inflexible, you're at the mercy of email servers, and on a high-volume list you need to setup filters to avoid your inbox being inundated. Web-based interfaces to mailing lists can help a little, but in general, they're just a bandage. Which isn't to say forums are perfect - even the best ones have big flaws - but (for an audience of non-techies) I would certainly default to a choice forum over list. So, the question then becomes *which* forum to go with, which raises a few questions: * Define "in-site" - does it have to integrate with a site layout, or is it enough to be styled similarly? * What languages run on the server? (Just CF, or is PHP possible? PHP has far more choice). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Want to reach the ColdFusion community with something they want? Let them know on the House of Fusion mailing lists Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:327117 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
