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

[Nancy Sosna Bohm]

One major difference is that Network Administrators who monitor employee use
of sites designated as "chat" will send an employee (moi) a memo requesting
the cessation of visits to the message board as it violates company policy
regarding use of "chat," whereas email does not have this restriction.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Kuntz" <jkuntz at ansernet.rcls.org>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <web4lib at webjunction.org>
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2001 6:08 AM
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Web-based message boards vs. email discussion groups


> ..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
> --
>