[Elecraft] Lists vs BB's vs Forums

[Andrea Borgia]

On Thu, 16 Mar 2006, F and J wrote:


> There seems to be no way of posting anything, or easily responding
> to a previous post - short of sending that poster an email.  How "replies"
> get linked to previous posts isn't explained.

Mailing-lists are an older and, imho, far superior form of forum. Among its
good points are:
-no connection required
-you get your own copy of all posts, which won't go away with the server
-standardized interface (the user's mail program)
-"push", rather than "pull" mode: information comes to you, rather than
viceversa.

You can reply "to the list" (and your "post" would be public) , to the
poster by personal email (private) or both. Be aware that this last case is
highly controversial: some people hate receiving duplicates, while other
encourage it, it really depends on taste and habits. Choose the safest
option and adapt if required.

Threading is done as usual with email: using subject and message-id and,
again, this is something each client shows in a different way, so the user
gets to choose that which fits his preferences.

The only situation in which a web-based system is preferable is when it
isn't a stand-alone thing, but it is part of a larger system.


> I suspect I'll get used to using it - but there are much more
> modern FORUMS BB's out there - which categorize posts,

You do the categorization the way you like and please, which might not be
the same way as the next guy.

I suggest that you visit this site and get started with Thunderbird:
http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/


B73,
Andrea.

-- 
Homepage: http://andrea.borgia.bo.it     /    Amateur radio: IZ4FHT