Messages intended to be distributed to the mailing list subscribers are sent to the list address . When you subscribe to a list, you usually receive a welcome message with full instructions for participating in the list, including what commands you can use. Types of Lists Because there are so many mailing lists, they work in a wide variety of ways. Announcement lists are great for getting information out quickly and cheaply via e-mail. For example, a church can use an announcement list to send out its monthly newsletter, or a manufacturer can send press releases to their press list.
Discussion lists provide an online forum for discussion.
Usually, any subscriber can post messages to the list. When one subscriber posts an interesting message, other subscribers respond back to the list, and all the subscribers can read the ongoing exchange. For discussion lists to be effective, the list manager must establish rules for posting, including appropriate topics and styles. For example, if the finance committee at a church wanted to conduct business by e-mail between meetings, they could establish a closed mailing list and allow only committee members to subscribe. Some lists maintain archives , files that contain all the messages posted to the list.