Fw: Switching services - from Ralph Copleman

[Patrick McAuley]

Re: Switching servicesThis is an example of the "reply" problem I referred to earlier -- Ralph's response below came to me rather than to the list.

Patrick
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Ralph Copleman 
To: Patrick McAuley 
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2000 10:33 AM
Subject: Re: Switching services


I was going to remain quiet on this issue of switching services and go with Murli's eventual decision, whatever it would be.

But Patrick's tale of no responses from eGroups sends a shudder down my spine.  Unless that proves to be a rare exception, I'm for staying with the current circumstance.
-- 
Ralph Copleman
http://www.earthdreams.net
609-895-1629



  From: Patrick McAuley <patrick.mcauley at sympatico.ca>
  Reply-To: Patrick McAuley <patrick.mcauley at sympatico.ca>
  Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 09:33:45 -0400
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
  Subject: Re: Switching services




  I agree there would be advantages to using eGroups, Murli.  It would appear to take care of the "reply" problem that I've been corresponding to you about, since I've been subscribed to other eGroups forums and have never encountered this problem.

  There is one additional disadvantage that could prove significant, however, and I suggest you check it out prior to switching.  I have been moderating a couple of small, closed groups on eGroups and with both of these groups, I have had occasion to request assistance from the eGroups support facility.  In every case, I have had ABSOLUTELY NO RESPONSE from the support people.  

  The only way to reach them that I have been able to find is through an email ID that is freely advertised at eGroups, but no one ever answers messages to this ID.  There is also a moderators' eGroups forum and I have tried sending messages there, also with no response.  It may be that these two groups didn't rate their attention because they were small (12 or fewer subscribers) and closed, but I urge you to see if you can get a response from eGroups support before you move us over.

  Patrick McAuley

  PTM Consulting                   Tel:  (519) 827-9396
  20 Magnolia Lane                Fax:  (519) 827-0956
  Guelph, ON  N1G 4X7         patrick.mcauley at sympatico.ca

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Murli Nagasundaram <mailto:rismurli at cobfac.boisestate.edu>  
    To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU 
    Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 6:16 PM
    Subject: Switching services

    All,

    I have been using the commercial facility egroups.com to run a couple of
    lists on a test basis, and am quite impressed with it.  I'd like your
    opinion on whether we should switch to it from our present listserv.  I am
    considering the switch because of some recurring problems and limitations
    of the present system that I am seeing both from feedback from Listmembers
    and from my inability to respond adequately to requests.

    Egroups has the following advantages:

    1.  It's free.
    2.  It automatically archives messages which can be retrieved from the
    website without first dislocating your shoulder.
    3.  Messages can be viewed both in chronological and "threaded" form <by
    subject line>.
    4.  The website lets you store files.  You can also list useful web links,
    maintain databases of information and an event calendar (which notifies you
    when the event becomes due).
    5.  You can run polls (useful esp. when you have poetry contests, I guess!)
    6.  It is easy to assign multiple moderators or owners of the list.
    7.  You have the option of reading messages only at the website without
    receiving email messages.

    Egroups has the following disadvantage (as far as I know):

    1.  Every message comes appended with a little advertisement.  It is not
    very intrusive though, and easy to ignore.

    Our present listserv is free, and has no ads.  It has none of the other
    advantages of egroups.  If you have any thoughts on this subject do air
    them.  If there are no objections, I will arrange to switch the list to
    egroups.

    Cheers,

    Murli
    List-DemiDei




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