Google groups has a web view option if you like the forum style or you can simply use it as an email list, it works both ways. In other words you do not have to log onto googlegroups in order to read posts. They come directly to a designated email if you like. If you want to post you just send it to <a href="mailto:pianotech@googlegroups.com">pianotech@googlegroups.com</a>. In order to utilize the forum style format I believe you have to have a gmail address. <br> <br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Mar 12, 2011 at 7:48 AM, Paul McCloud <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:pmc033@earthlink.net">pmc033@earthlink.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;"> <div> <div> <div><font face="MS Sans Serif" size="2">Hi, Patrick, JD:</font></div> <div> <font face="MS Sans Serif" size="2">I just checked out the new Pianotech Google Group, and posted a reply to a post there. It seems to work well. But I prefer the email format, rather than a web based format. I checked the box to send replies to my email so I'll see how that works. The extra step of logging in and all that is what I don't like. Plus the fact that all the data is somewhere else and not on my computer. I like being able to organize my emails, and not rely on what the programmers want to give me in html. Sort of like the move from DOS to Windows, there's so much bloatware in Windows. Email lists are very efficient, since you don't have all that scripting and other stuff running in the background.</font></div> <div> <font face="MS Sans Serif" size="2">The bottom line is, some people on the list are going to be reluctant to share what they know because it's too time-consuming to do it. At least, that's what I fear. I just hope that we get this straightened out, fast. </font></div> <div> <font face="MS Sans Serif" size="2">My take,</font></div> <div> <font face="MS Sans Serif" size="2">Paul McCloud</font></div><font color="#888888"> <div> <font face="MS Sans Serif" size="2">San Diego</font></div> <div> </div> <div></div></font></div><div><div></div><div class="h5"> <div> </div> <blockquote style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 0px; margin-left: 5px;"> <div style="font: 10pt Arial;">----- Original Message ----- </div> <div style="font: 10pt arial; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(228, 228, 228);"><b>From:</b> <a title="jpdraine@gmail.com" href="mailto:jpdraine@gmail.com" target="_blank">J Patrick Draine</a> </div> <div style="font: 10pt arial;"><b>To: </b><a title="pianotech@ptg.org" href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" target="_blank">pianotech@ptg.org</a></div> <div style="font: 10pt arial;"><b>Sent:</b> 03/12/2011 7:11:39 AM </div> <div style="font: 10pt arial;"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [pianotech] A new Pianotech list that works</div> <div><br></div><font size="2">I, too, participate in several Google Groups, and just started one for the purpose of intra-chapter communication (meeting notices, etc.). I've read all pianotech list mail on GMail's web interface for several years now. <div>That said, getting 120 Boston Chapter members to "accept invites", weed out bouncing addresses, etc. has been an ongoing challenge over the past two weeks. And plenty of folks wanting to know why they can't do this or that (options I opted the list out of etc.).</div> <div>Rome wasn't built in a day,</div> <div>Patrick Draine</div> <div>Billerica, MA<br><br> <div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Mar 12, 2011 at 4:06 AM, John Delacour <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:JD@pianomaker.co.uk" target="_blank">JD@pianomaker.co.uk</a>></span> wrote:<br> <blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="gmail_quote"><br>I have set up a new mailing list / group as a demonstration that without the expenditure of a penny a mailing list can be created that actually works.<br> <br>You can join the group either by going to the group page:<br><br><<a href="http://groups.google.com/group/pianotech" target="_blank">http://groups.google.com/group/pianotech</a>><br><br><br>or by sending a blank email to:<br> <br> <a href="mailto:pianotech%2Bsubscribe@googlegroups.com" target="_blank">pianotech+subscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br><br>In this case you will receive an email containing a link to validate your subscription.<br> <br>Once you have subscribed, I believe you will receive a welcome message.<br><br>The list is set to distribute all postings to members as they arrive, but you have options in the web interface to receive a digest or a summary if that's what you prefer .<br><br>A searchable archive exists on the web of all postings to the list.<br><br>I am subscribed to several lists that have switched to Google Groups and there never seems to be any problem with any of them.<br><br>The only slight annoyance I have with Google groups is that you are not sent email copies of your own postings to the group, though you will see them in the web list. If you need to include your own postings in your local archive you can send a Bcc to yourself.<br> <br>I don't regard Google Groups as the ne plus ultra of list servers but it is pretty good. If enough people join, I will consider moving the list to a genuine LISTSERV server, which allows more options, including the ability to bounce html mail and mail that contains to much quoted material.<br> <font color="#888888"><br>JD<br><br><br><br><br></font></blockquote></div><br></div></font></blockquote></div></div></div></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Ryan Sowers, RPT<br>Puget Sound Chapter<br>Olympia, WA<br> <a href="http://www.pianova.net">www.pianova.net</a><br>