Real interactivity [Internet discussion lists]

The word “interactive” is often heard in the ravings of the popular press about the Internet, yet in truth the kind of interactivity being touted usually focuses on the latest hip and hype applications-personalized stock tickers, chat rooms, spinning 3D cartoon characters and FM radios-but interactivity also has a second, older, simpler and more direct meaning that echoes back io the original purpose of the Internet-professional collaboration. So, this article presents a review of one of the most useful and yet often most overlooked tools for interactivity on the Internet today: e-mail discussion lists (also known as listservers, listservs, mailing lists or mailservers)