What are Mailing Lists?

The Mailing List is a distribution service that circulates (or broadcasts) all messages it receives to the addresses of people who have subscribed to the list.

These lists are specialized in content and tend to be of a higher quality than Usenet newsgroups. They are used by associations, clubs, companies, even high school classes to communicate with members. Anyone can organize a mailing list to bring together people with a common interest.

Some mailing lists have membership restrictions, and many have specific policies about content. Quality is maintained in some mailing lists through the services of a moderator who screens submissions and will exclude the inappropriate, repetitive, or unworthy messages. These are called moderated lists. Even in the unmoderated lists, where more extraneous material can slip in, there is usually one person who monitors and follows up on problems.

What We Do

In this section we get acquainted with how mailing lists work. Also, take note of the mailing list jargon in the right side-panel.

• Examples: Some examples of lists. Explore Topica as an exercise.

• Advantages: Consider the benefits of using mailing lists.

• How they work: Nail down the elements of how they work.

• Etiquette: Be sensitive to the etiquette of mailing lists.

Related Sections

Communications - E-Mail: If you are new to Internet e-mail, and have not done Communications - E-Mail, we recommend that you complete that section before subscribing to any mailing lists.

Where to next?

Go on to examples of mailing lists.