Lists

What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards?
Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?

After actually being part of many email lists in the past (eg. DBW dirtbike worls, AVS audio video science) i have probably already formed an opinion on the pros and con's. I also frequent many discussion board for troubleshooting and for product research. Whenever i buy a major purchase i normally troll around discussion boards reading peoples opinions.

Pros of e-mail list versus Discussion Boards are,

• Ability to have all the information/messages automatically sent to you.
• Anonymity to others on the list. You can just receive a list without input in discussion.
• Ease of browsing new messages.
• Can be read off line.
• No having to go online and browse boards.
  

Con's

• Sometimes large and cumbersome files.
• Receiving updates even when you don't want them.
• Can lead to being spammed!! (happened to me).
• Cant filter what you want to see.
  

Overall I'm not a fan of lists. I like to chose when i want updates and when i want to browse messages. Which i find more suited on discussion boards. They do still serve a purpose on certain requirements for people but i honestly think they are not as easy to use as discussion boards. I like being able to select what i want to view, and not have to go thru every post.

Discussion boards i find are logical and easy to navigate, and also easy for the beginner to post and contribute. Just an old school way of internet chat i guess.