Email List pros
- You don't need an immediate answer
- You know who you wish to communicate with.
- You can attach files
- You get specific information that you subscribe to.
Email List cons
- You can recieve large amounts of SPAM (unsolicited email).
- Impersonal
- Mail box can become clogged with too many messages or take up mail box storage space.
Discussion Board pros
- Threading of the discussion makes it easy to pick up and see through to its conclusion.
- A more personal environment.
- Easy to find and participate in.
Discussion Board cons
- Threads can sometimes get too long making it difficult to find what you are after.
- Threads can mutate into an entirely different subject.
Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?
Email lists seem to be better suited to the spreading of information that doesn't necessarily need discussion. Discussion boards are most suited to this. Email lists spread the information as effectively as discussion boards but replies tend to be personal as most recipients are bcc. Businesses try mass email lists in marketing campaigns but the effectiveness of getting sales from this is minimal with response rates of 0.25 to 0.50 percent or less (Source: Email Marketing Services Buyers Guide, accessed 25/3/07, address http://www.buyerzone.com/marketing/email-marketing/buyers_guide2.html)
Discussion boards make ideal platforms for like minded people to have an open discussion on a common interest. The discussion can be followed and is open to all members to join. Email is much more closed than this.
Email lists work well when you have a group of users interested in the same subject matter. This group of users is able to read the information at their leisure, or respond to the group if appropriate.
Discussion boards work well in creating an online community which is great when you have a group of people who are unable to participate in face to face discussions.
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