Participants can either read the documents on-screen or download them and print them out. If privacy or confidentiality are important concerns, access to a Web site can be limited to participants through the use of a password. On the other hand, if broad public distribution is desirable, Web sites can be widely announced on-line and accessible to anyone. In one instance, the NRC simultaneously posted a transcript of a 14-way video conference call to the RuleNet site. Those who weren't part of the video conference could log on to the site and follow the discussion verbatim.
Web forums allow for separate topic branches to be created for each agenda item.
Chat often involves a fast-paced, spontaneous dialogue with short messages. Slow typists and thinkers may find it difficult to get a word in edgewise. While chat rooms are very popular, they require parties to coordinate calendars to all be available at the same time. In many cases, a phone call is more effective. Members of a listserve receive messages via e-mail and can choose to respond at any time to the entire list or to individual list of members.