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Discussion groups on the web
In the past month or two, ITD has introduced two new ways to have discussions on the web.
Learnlink Gateway
Project Learnlink has recently announced a gateway from Learnlink conferences to the web. The new gateway allows the controller of any conference on LearnLink to make their conference available to anybody through the World Wide Web. Currently, about 75 Learnlink conferences are available via the web.
According to Project Learnlink, the web gateway may be used for:
LISTSERV Gateway
LISTSERV has been available for many years to distribute e-mail to groups. Discussions range from academic topics, such as the Molecular Vision Web Journal Announcements, to admistrative topics, such as a discussion group for Meeting Maker calendaring software.
The new web gateway allows you to search and view the archives of public discussion groups through a web browser. In addition, it allows you to create new discussion groups easily through a web interface.
Which discussion group should you use?
The type of discussion group you choose depends on several factors. Learnlink is especially popular with students and is noted for being very easy to use. Although you can send e-mail through Learnlink, the conferences on Learnlink do not send e-mail to individuals. LISTSERV, on the other hand, sends e-mail to every person who is subscribed to the list. The web interface to LISTSERV simply archives the e-mail that has been sent to the group. You can search and sort both types of discussion groups.
Whether you choose Learnlink or LISTSERV, you should keep an eye on both types of discussions. What is described today is only the beginning. Both types of discussion will evolve rapidly in the months to come.
For more information:
Overview: <http://www.emory.edu/WWW/GUIDE/discussion.html>
Learnlink: <http://www.learnlink.emory.edu/>
LISTSERVS: <http://listserv.cc.emory.edu/>
Marie Matthews is University Webmaster in the Information Technology Division.