Coastal Services Center

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Survival Skills for Coastal Resource Managers
Information Survival Skills
Library Research
Internet Research
Managing Info on Your Computer
Using Listservs and Groups
Assessing Internet Sources
Exercises - Organizing Info
Interviewing Experts
All About Questions
Survival Skills for Coastal Resource Managers

 

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Getting the Most out of Listserv/Discussion Groups

Benefits and limitations

Electronic discussion groups have many benefits and limitations. Some have too little activity and will not be worth the time to subscribe to them. Others will be extremely active, often with off-topic messages, to the point that keeping up with the different topics is nearly impossible.

Generally the benefits and limitations of discussion groups are as follows:

Benefits

  • Members can become current on a topic of interest
  • Can learn about anecdotal reports from other members
  • Can conduct informal surveys to get information
  • Can find knowledgeable sources

Limitations

  • Some groups generate a large volume of e-mail
  • Facts are mixed with opinions

 

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