[WEB4LIB] Re: Web-based message boards vs. email discussion groups

[Lee Jaffe]

Another "pro" for listserver discussions is that it is possible for
branches of discussions to take place "off-line."  Users can reply to
each other privately as appropriate, not clogging up the general
list with material of limited interest.  Of course, that never happens,
but it is possible.  -- Lee Jaffe

At 7:30 AM -0800 3/2/01, Roy Tennant wrote:
>You've come up with a pretty good list of the differences between 
>email-based discussions (LISTSERV is a registered trademark, you 
>should at least say "listserver") and bulletin boards, but for my 
>money you missed the only one that really matters to me. Well, maybe 
>not missed it entirely, since you say under "pros" for email-based 
>discussions "Most people check their email on a regular basis." To 
>put this another way, I like email-based discussions because I 
>always check my email, and therefore cannot ignore discussion 
>messages. However, going to a particular web site repeatedly over 
>the course of a day is not as natural to me, and therefore I would 
>tend to fall behind in the discussion and perhaps "drop it" 
>altogether. Therefore, for me, under "cons" for message boards would 
>be something like "Requires the user to remember to check it on a 
>periodic basis." It's like if something is put into my personal mail 
>slot, I really can't ignore it, but if you expect me to get up out 
>of my chair and walk over to a bulletin board on a regular basis, 
>even just a few doors away, forget it. This is my personal opinion, 
>others prefer to have the arrangement be just the opposite. Thanks,
>Roy
>
>At 6:15 AM -0800 3/2/01, Jerry Kuntz wrote:
>>..received private responses from a couple of people about message 
>>boards vs. listservs, and then checked the Web4Lib archives. 
>>Although web-based message boards have been mentioned a few times 
>>(under terms like "web-based discussions", "threaded discussions", 
>>"web conferencing" "web-based bulletin boards"), I don't see where 
>>a discussion of the merits of these have been compared against 
>>listservs ever happened on Web4Lib.
>>    Maybe it's just been obvious, and I've had my head in the sand. 
>>At any rate,
>>Listserv pros:
>>--Users have only a single place to check for messages in all the 
>>discussions they want to follow, i.e. their inbox
>>--Most people check their email on a regular basis
>>--Messages can easily be cross-posted from one list to another
>>--There's more free-flow between threads and evolvement of new 
>>threads from old threads, since most people read all new messages
>>Listserv cons:
>>--Users must have access to an email account and client
>>--Messages can be missed if mailbox account host goes down
>>--Prescence of and access to archives is separate from discussion
>>--Volume of total list activity can overwhelm some users
>>Message board pros:
>>--No need for email account or email client (nice point for public 
>>access workstations)
>>--Past messages accessible and searchable
>>--Threads can be selectively chosen and followed or ignored; no 
>>need to delete messages on subjects not of interest
>>--No missed messages
>>--Client machine independent
>>--No attachement viruses
>>--No vacation messages from other subscribers
>>--No "how do I unsubscribe" messages
>>--Easy for adminstrator to start new message board--easy to see 
>>that extensive threads might merit their own board
>>Message board cons:
>>--Not as intuitive to many users as email is
>>--Poor cross-pollination between threads
>>--No cross-posting to other discussions
>>
>>..so depending on the scope of the discussion, message boards may 
>>work better than listservs, and vice versa. Web4Lib, for example, 
>>brings up so many new topics that I really need to see every 
>>message to get a feel as for what is going on.
>>
>>
>>---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
>>From: "Jerry Kuntz" <jkuntz at ansernet.rcls.org>
>>Reply-To: <jkuntz at ansernet.rcls.org>
>>Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 18:22:22 -0500
>>
>>>Still smarting from the imminent loss of a non-library related, 
>>>web-based message board from a free hosting service 
>>>(InsideTheWeb), I've been playing around this week with some open 
>>>source/free web based message board software. The ones I've 
>>>actually installed and looked at are YaBB and Discus. I haven't 
>>>installed but have looked at the PHP-based Phorum package.
>>>YaBB, with its subscriber avatars, icons, IRC and Instant 
>>>Messaging links, looked too trendy for my taste. Discus, however, 
>>>I'm very impressed with.
>>  >So the question is this: a large, disperse organization like the 
>>Ramapo Catskill Library System has need for dozens of dicussion 
>>groups for our various internal staff populations, committees, user 
>>groups, etc. What are the arguments for and against using web-based 
>>message board software as opposed to email based listservs? (We're 
>>already past the one machine/email client issue, since we're using 
>>a web-based email package, Imail).
>>>Links:
>>>http://www.yabb.org/
>>>http://www.discusware.com
>>>http://www.phorum.org/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>--
>>>Jerry Kuntz
>>>Electronic Resources Consultant
>>>Ramapo Catskill Library System
>>>jkuntz at rcls.org
>>>Author, KidsClick! Web Searching Skills Guide, 
>>>http://www.neal-schuman.com/db/3/173.html
>>>--
>>>
>>
>>--
>>Jerry Kuntz
>>Electronic Resources Consultant
>>Ramapo Catskill Library System
>>jkuntz at rcls.org
>>Author, KidsClick! Web Searching Skills Guide, 
>>http://www.neal-schuman.com/db/3/173.html
>>--