A mailing list is much like a message base that operates through your e-mail. If you join a mailing list, you’ll first get (through e-mail) a letter of introduction and instructions on how to post messages to the list, and how to un-subscribe from the list. From then on, you’ll receive through e-mail, messages from other people around the world who are also subscribed to the list, discussing the topic that the mailing list covers. What topics? There are mailing lists all over the Internet on any topic you can think of. Some are good, others are just a bickering forum.

The main thing that scares people away from mailing lists is, they get subscribed and don’t remember how to unsubscribe. They are then stuck with a constant influx of e-mail. Some lists can be huge, averaging hundreds of messages per day. Most however, are manageable. If you subscribe to a mailing list, remember to keep the introduction message. It contains instructions on how to participate in the list, and most importantly, unsubscribe from the list and stop the flow of e-mail.

Mailing lists can be a lot of fun. Even if you never post an article, there can be a lot of valuable information in these lists on anything from sports to business. Many software companies use mailing lists for product announcements. Others use them for advertising. Below are a few web sites with related information: