Title:  What options are there for email distribution lists?

Question:
I need help on how to start an email distribution list. What are the
options and how do I choose? What sort of help is available? What is the
process to get a list started?

Answer:
Email distribution lists come in many flavors. They are referred to by
many generic terms (e.g., alias, reflector, discussion list, interest
group, forum) and by the names of some common email distribution software
programs (e.g., listserv, majordomo, ListProc.)

The email distribution options we recommend are:

     o  address books
     o  the Mailman program

And as an alternative to email distribution we also offer:

     o  local UW Usenet newsgroups


ADDRESS BOOKS

For many uses, the "address book" function of an email program like Pine
provides sufficient list distribution options.  In most email programs,
you can build short or long lists of addresses and define a single
nickname for each list. Addressing a message to the nickname of such a
list causes the program to fetch the entire list you've defined in your
address book and send a copy of your message to each address on the list.

Address books thus work well for one individual to maintain and use a
list.  If several people need access to the list, it may be possible to
share the address book.  However if the group needing access is large,
then more advanced message distribution tools may be a better choice.

For more detailed information about address books, use the Help functions
available with your particular email program.



MAILMAN

As part of the Uniform Access system we provide the Mailman program for
email distribution lists.  Mailman is a program running on a dedicated
computer, which processes administrative requests from a Webpage (like
"subscribe" and "unsubscribe")  for distribution lists.  It also accepts
messages addressed to a specific list and distributes a copy to each of
the list's subscribers.

Mailman is a powerful program with many features and configuration
options.  For the most part, list owners and subscribers interact with
Mailman via a Web interface. 


How to get started with Mailman:

To find more information about Mailman, including how to be a list owner, 
go to

	http://www.washington.edu/computing/mailman/


Note for instructors:

You can request an Instructor Class List which will automatically include 
students enrolled in your course. To create an Instructor Class List, see 
the Teaching tab in MyUW at

	http://myuw.washington.edu/


NEWSGROUPS

A third option for communicating electronically within the UW community is
to set up a local Usenet newsgroup.  This behaves more like a bulletin
board where messages are posted to a single electronic location, rather
than distributed to subscriber's email inboxes.

If you'd like to have a local newsgroup set up for you, you can request 
one online at

	https://uwnetid.washington.edu/manage/

Look in the "Change your services" section for a link to the request form.


MAKING CHOICES

There can be many complex factors involved in choosing and implementing
methods for electronic communication.  Whenever you have questions, email
help@cac.washington.edu for assistance.

Here are some things to consider when deciding which option to choose:

Use Mailman if:
   o you want the option of having list members do their own
     subscribing/unsubscribing
   o you want to keep records of all the messages
   o you need to distribute files from an archive

Don't use Mailman if:
   o the group is small and easily managed in address books

Use address book lists if:
   o the messages only go from one person to many

Don't use address book lists if:
   o the group is large and rapidly changing

Use local UW usenet groups if:
   o group members are already familiar with this method
   o the volume of messages would be a burden in members' inboxes

Don't use local UW usenet groups if:
   o you want to feel certain that messages get to members inboxes
   o the communications should be private (among the group)

MORE INFORMATION

If you have any questions or would like more information about your
options, send email to help@cac.washington.edu.