A mail server somewhere on the Internet is set up to take a message sent to a particular e-mail address and then forward it along to a list of subscribers. One of the most active mailing lists for futures traders is the Omega List for users of software products from Omega Research. Newsgroups Newsgroups are like mailing lists but are more public because they tap the Usenet facility of the Internet. While mailing lists have no central facility and finding out about them is difficult, newsgroups are listed publicly. This area of the Internet can be accessed with a simple newsreader, which most Web browsers include.
Access usually is provided by a basic Internet account.
If you post to a newsgroup, you run the risk of being bombarded with junk e-mail. This same problem affects some mailing lists. Chat facilities, on the other hand, are areas where live conversations take place. Chat really built America Online, but there are many other services offering chat capabilities. These forums can be a great way to share advice and questions, but because it's unfiltered, the information should be approached with caution as well.