Discussion Group Hosting Features
An online discussion group or discussion forum is used to send messages or information to a group of people (known as a "mailing list") who share similar interests. A computer ("mail server") controls the discussion group by forwarding a copy of any message it receives to those people who have chosen to join ("subscribe to") the discussion group. Anyone who is a member of the mailing list can submit information to be distributed to the entire group. Members can respond and share their thoughts and experiences with other members by replying to the message. In this way, a group discussion can take place via email.
Email Discussion Group Hosting — easy to use, flexible, and secure
Easy to Use
- Administer your mailing list entirely by email or with the web-based control panel, or a combination of both
- Allow your list members to set delivery preferences (such as digest mode or vacation mode) by email or with the included web access
- Add multiple list administrators to share the workload and responsibilities of managing your list
- Configure the list to automatically approve all messages, hold all messages (until approved), or hold and require approval for only the first five (for example) messages posted to the list by a new member of the list. After the first five posts from a list member are approved, all messages can go through automatically.
- Set replies to the list to go to the list itself (for more list activity), or directly to the author of the email message (for less traffic)
- Use the included newsgroup archive, and access message history and message posts with either a web browser or newsgroup reader, or both
- Set maximum number of messages in a day that can be sent out from your list, and / or the maximum size of the email message sent from your list
- Use the easy one-click unsubscribe link or email unsubscribe address at the footer of your email message
Flexible
- Customize your message footer (for example, you could include a link to your web site, the message archives, or the web address to allow list members to manage their subscriptions)
Secure
- Password protect your list. Require passwords to join the list or post a message to the list. Use unique member passwords, or only one password (such as one to join the list).
- Use the included web page access to the list to allow list members to view messages, post messages, set delivery preferences, change to digest mode, and more
- Allow any or all list administrators to approve or deny messages posted to the list
- Allow any or all list administrators to approve or deny new member join requests
- Ban unwanted members or domains (such as competitors)
