xwindows xwindows@tilde.club writes:
I personally think that mailing list is _okay_, as long as it has an archive viewer software that is not a jerk [2] and is universally accessible [3]. Unforunately, Tildeverse Hyperkitty fails both; so I usually avoid using mailing list, and swear by Netnews instead.
Regards, ~xwindows
[1] While both are discussions parlor with MIME message format and threaded replies, the delivery method is not the same; which some people might prefer one method over another. (In mailing list, messages are archived on each user's side; while in Netnews [traditionally], archive would reside on server-side, and usually require user action to archive them; for example) But in a role of forum, I personally like Netnews better, as messages prior to first use are instantly available; so one can just join in and continue existing discussion right away. While in mailing list, replying to thread existing prior-to-registration requires manual process that involves extracting MBOX/MIME-message from the archive (requires that one has access the the archive in the first place [2][3]), import it into a mail client of choice (requires one to use mail client software [4]), and reply from that. I had to do this more than once, it gets old fast.
[2] Try launching graphical browser with JavaS'creep *disabled*, and attempt to view *entire* thread (any thread with replies) on this mailing list archive. And then, use Lynx (must be Lynx specifically) to do the same; compare result, and you would see what I meant. U/A-discrimination in full force, if you ask me.
[3] Having HTTPS-only interface means viewing it requires "lastest and greatest" software (a la upgrade threadmill); which means it's not universally-accessible, as it discriminates against people who are using legacy computer/software systems.
[4] Strictly speaking: it doesn't, provided that webmail in question allows you to design your own MIME header (so that you can manually plug in `References:` value obtained from the extracted MBOX/MIME file); but which big-name webmail provider[s] actually allow that, exactly? (If you know one that do, please tell; but self-hosted webmail software don't count, since you could always rig it to do that)
I use GNU Emacs to read mail list and to read newsgroups