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Medieval Mailing Lists |
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Before animation, MIDI, and Java made the web an adventure in sensory overload, discussion lists made it a communications delight. Through the wonderful advent of electronic mail, people from all over the world could ask questions, start debates, get the latest news, and simply keep in contact with others who enjoyed the same field of interest. Lists sprang up on numerous subjects, academic and otherwise, and medieval history was certainly no exception.
Mailing lists vary a bit in format. Some are "distribution lists," similar to newsletters, sending information to its members in regular (or irregular) intervals. The Medieval Review is one such list; it sends out scholarly book reviews of works in medieval studies to its list members as they become available.
Others are "discussion lists," interactive forums that allow you to post your own comments and questions. List-server software manages email so that a message sent to the server is sent to every member of the list, allowing all members to read and contribute with no more effort required than ordinary email. Some discussion lists are moderated--messages come to a real live person who screens them for suitable content or compiles them according to subject before sending them out to the list at large. But most email discussion lists are unmoderated, allowing for almost instantaneous response.
In spite of the overwhelming amount of information and online forums now available on the World Wide Web, mailing lists are more popular than ever. And it's not even necessary to have your own email account or Internet access -- with free online email you can participate whenever you manage to get on the net. For students, a list can be a valuable resource if properly approached. For history buffs, it can also be a lot of fun. In both cases what makes the list work so well are the people involved.
You'll find exceedingly knowledgeable folks on academic mailing lists, most of whom are very happy to share information and help you further your research. But before you jump on a list and start posting, here's some helpful information you should know.
Technical Matters
Subscribing, unsubscribing, and hints for smooth listing.Academic List Netiquette
The basic rules for getting along in academic cyberspace.Using a List to Aid in Research
How to get help from an online academic community.Discussion List Directory
Sites and subscription addresses for dozens of email lists concerned with medieval and Renaissance studies.
Medieval Mailing Lists is copyright © 1999-2003 Melissa Snell. Permission is granted to reproduce this article for personal or classroom use only, provided that the URL below is included. For reprint permission, please contact Melissa Snell.
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