2.2.) Pros and cons of email lists vs discussion boards

Pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards and suitability for certain communication and purpose
E-mail lists offer a good chance of regular information about a certain topic. They do not offer quick answers but rather a continuous and somehow formalised flow of information. The issuer of e-mail lists often have good expertise in the specific subject. E-mail lists are normally maintained on one list server. Sometimes the topic on list servers become to narrow and concentrated as such making it less interesting for some participants.
Different is the situation with discussion boards. A discussion board is made up of people of an certain area of interest and is also normally maintained on a single server. A discussion group does not offer answers in time critical situations but offers the opportunity to an interactive exchange of information and opinion. Thereby the topics can vary more compared to information supplied by a list server. Also the form will be less formalised in a discussion group compared to the list server