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

[Chris Shaffer]

>Another "pro" for listserver discussions is that it is possible for
>branches of discussions to take place "off-line."

Users can take discussions offline on a web board, using mailto links, 
web-based individual messages, chat, and other features.

>Listserv pros:
>--Users have only a single place to check for messages in all the 
>discussions they want to follow, i.e. their inbox

Users can filter their email.  For example, I find the number of email 
discussion messages I receive overwhelming, and filter them all.  Sometimes 
it's two weeks or more between checks of the Web4Lib mailbox.

These are just two examples.  As other posters have noted, virtually every 
feature mentioned can be implemented in either medium.  I read several web 
boards that 'push' information out to users, via email or by refreshing web 
pages.  One web board I read runs on my workstation throughout the day, and 
refreshes itself more often than my email does.  And many of the email 
discussion groups I read have archives.  In fact, I used to read Web4Lib 
via the web archive, and not via email.

I think Roy Tennant hit the nail on the head when he said "This is my 
personal opinion, others prefer to have the arrangement be just the 
opposite."  Each user is individual, with different preferences.  I'd 
really like to see a collaboration/discussion technology that allows for 
individuality.  YahooGroups (eGroups), for example, lets users choose to 
receive messages by email, or to read them on the web.

I want something that supports communication to groups and individuals by 
email, by web, by text or audio chat, by videoconference, or by whatever 
new technology pops up in the future.  Today's web bulletin boards and 
email discussion groups are an example of technologies begging to be 
merged.  In the near future, I doubt if there will be such a distinction.


-----
Chris Shaffer, Technology Coordinator
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region
Library of the Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago
shaffer at uic.edu     http://www.nnlm.nlm.nih.gov/gmr/
312-996-2464 (voice)     312-996-2226 (fax)