On Sun, 29 Mar 2009, Christian Ridderstr?m wrote:
Seriously though, why is a "forum" different from a list?
/Christian, Two differences, as far as I know: 1.) Fora are hosted on a web site and mail lists are hosted on a server that needs no more than a mailing list manager (MLM). The former requires a GUI while the latter is text based (although subscribers can use a GUI MUA -- go ahead, say that quickly -- to read the text). 2.) Fora require subscribers to actively load the apppropriate web page and pull down the articles/messages of interest to them. A mail list pushes the messages to each subscriber who is free to read, delete, or otherwise manage the messages sent. Personally, I much prefer mail lists. It is many times easier to check my MUA and tab through the various mail list folders at my convenience (all done without removing my hands from the keyboard) than it is to open a new firefox tab, enter the URL (or select the bookmark using the pointy device), then scroll through the list on the presented web page. Usenet used to be OK. Now, unfortunately, it's jammed with spam and folks with attitudes. Mail lists tend to be more polite and helpful. Rich -- Richard B. Shepard, Ph.D. | Integrity Credibility Applied Ecosystem Services, Inc. | Innovation <http://www.appl-ecosys.com> Voice: 503-667-4517 Fax: 503-667-8863
