Writing Email

E-mail "list-serve" functions are an increasingly common way to keep track of recent developments and current trends in a field. A member of a group--teachers with a particular interest, investors using a particular stock strategy, hobbyists, World War II veterans--sets up a special email routing service on a host computer. As interested people decide to join the group, they send a message to the computer which automatically adds names to the email list. Whenever any member sends an email message to the list, all members get the message.

Some list-serve groups generate dozens of messages every day; some have bursts of activity at certain times of the year or focused on certain events (such as conferences or dates of historical importance). Some list-serve groups, like the one preparing to commemorate the first flight by the Wright Brothers, will be active only until the centennial celebration is over, and then the list will be disbanded. Joining and leaving the groups is as easy as sending an email message. Keeping up with the reading depends on the size and activeness of the group. To read more about staying in touch professionally, choose any of the items below:

• Personal Messages
• Joining List-Serve Groups
• Replying to One Person Rather Than the Group