Mary's NET11 Blog

What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards?

First I thought of the different aspects of Email Lists and Discussion Boards

• Email Lists
  Private
  Not viewable unless you subscribe
  Fully or partially automated
  Can view them in digest form
  Moderator can approve messages before they appear
  
• Discussion Boards
  Public or Private
  Online
  Sometimes include an 'avatar' or picture the member wishes to display
  Can include the option editing your posts
  Administrator can add moderators who can help them maintain the list
  
  

I decided to discuss with my friends to compare our thoughts on Email Lists and Discussion Boards and came up with this list of pros and cons:

Email Lists – 5 PROS
- Increased privacy (because you have to subscribe before you view any messages)
- You can view them as a digest – quicker to keep up with everything if you have limited time
- Can be very informative if it keeps on topic
- Convenient to keep up with an email list whenever you check your email.
- Less cumbersome to respond to than many discussion boards.


Discussion Boards – 5 PROS
- If it is a public board you can check out the messages without joining, so you are able to see if the content is appropriate for your interest.
- A sense of identifying with each other through use of avatars etc.
- Searchable! so it's very easy to find specific information.
- Archives are right there with the discussion board.
- It is easy to be totally anonymous.

Email Lists - 4 CONS
- Even though you have to subscribe to receive the list content, there are still 'lurkers' who don't contribute anything. In this way it can be no more private than a public discussion board.
- If you don't organise your email into folders (and have one for your email list) you can get overwhelmed by the large number of messages in your inbox.
- Searching is limited by your email programs search capacity.
- You have to find the archives on a web site, so they are less accessible than on a discussion board.

Discussion Boards - 4 CONS
- More susceptible to spam if it is a public board.
- Anyone can find a conversation by searching, so again, it's lacking in privacy.
- Graphic-heavy discussion board interfaces can take a long time to download on slow connections, making communication frustrating.
- Easier access to archives, as the discussion board has them readily available.

Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?

In my own experience I am more likely to use a Discussion Board for finding out answers. However I would use an Email List to share ideas and thoughts on a hobby or interest.

Labels: Module 2