Not wanting to turn this list into a "what type of list is this list" list,
I wrote my reply back only to Stephan. Seeing that my opinion was becoming
the minority I now forward it to the list, with additional comments.
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Stephan,
I have set up approximately 40 mailing lists using various software. There
are basically two kinds:
One is a broadcast or CC: list whereby someone writes an e-mail to a slew
of people and they write back only to the author (unless they expressly
change the To: address back to the list, as you did). It's a convenient way
to have a large contact list while keeping it under wraps (meaning without
spreading their addresses all over in a giant cc: list... imagine if the
spammer got his/her hands on THAT).
The other type of list is a forum or conversation list. A message written
to the list is broadcast just like the other type, but the Reply-to:
address is set to the listname, so hitting reply will result in the email
going back to the list. If you choose to write the author individually, you
can pick his/her name out of the header and change the To: address to that.
As this type of list generates a lot more e-mail, (everyone is getting all
replies, which in turn generates more mail on top of that), the list
administrator can set up a digest mode where 10-15 messages are stored up
and then sent in a single e-mail as a "digest".
The method you have chosen minimalizes the amount of e-mail everyone gets,
and may be more appropriate for this venue. Even though it may reduce the
long-term usefulness of the list, as helpful solutions to other people's
problems won't be stored with the list, subscribers won't get any extra
mail containing those solutions to other people's problems, which can
become unbearable, and may result in a loss of some subscribers.
If your original intention was to spread the helpdesk responsibilities to
all users while giving them access to this same channel, the default list
type you set up is perfect.
Personally I already get too much e-mail and have put myself on digest to
three lists I run for myself. If you set the list up as a forum list, I
hope you will also set up a digest mode.
Mike
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