Bart Addis wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> Is anybody besides me frustrated that this group communicates with a
> mailing list and not a newsgroup?  It would be much easier to follow the
> threads if this were a newsgroup.
>
[snip]

> Is there any fundamental reason to stick with the mailing list format,
> since this discussion is unmoderated?  Does anybody have email service but
> no news service?  Does anybody see any advantage to the mailing list format
> over usenet?
>
Bart,

My preference is to stay with the mailing list format.  As far as I can
see, less SPAM is generated this way.  In the last 2 years, there's only
been a few times when spam has reached my private mail box that is
directly attributable to my PIClist postings.  I belong to one other
technical list (Borland C++ Builder) and 3 other non-technicals lists.
So far, no spam resulting from these.

As to newsgroups - I watch a few forums from Borland (now called
Inprise).  These are moderated (read: no spam).  As well, I've received
no spam resulting from my postings and I don't use spam blockers.  This
may because the forums are on a Borland/Inprise server and are blocked
to spam 'bots - but I may be wrong.

As to USENET (alt.everything) - last week I needed some Visual Basic
information (for a contractor - I don't do Basic).  I posted a request
on a USENET VB newsgroup - within 24 hours I was spammed my someone
trying to sell me loads of VB stuff.

I'll stick with the list - but go ahead and set up a newsgroup.  I'll
probably lurk there - but not post.

--Matt