On 2013-01-12 19:21 (GMT-0500) Alexandre Couture composed:

> Wouldn't a forum be a better platform than mailling list?

For some users, yes. Typically their signal to noise ratios are worse, with 
higher percentage of questions unanswered either at all or competently. For 
people who want faster and/or better response from highly competent sources, 
mailing lists typically work better. Example: Linux kernel development. I 
doubt kernel devs even have a forum.

Forum: pull content (have to open browser and go there, no notice when & 
where to go unless RSS)
List: push content (comes to you automatically once you subscribe)

Forum: usually a copy of your own post is not even an option
List: your own copy is a presumptively easier to locate record of what you 
did, where & when

Forum: usually mousetype, hard to read without applying defenses to counteract
List: plain text usually, so uses your choice of fonts by default

Forum: no filtering
List: you can filter to various folders according to subject, source, etc.

Forum: clumsy to save and easily relocate good answers to questions for 
future reference
List: easy to keep and easily relocate good answers to questions for future 
reference

Experienced users typically wish to save time not hunting for questions to 
answer, so prefer lists.

I rarely use forums for subjects for which I can find suitable mailing lists.
-- 
"The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant
words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation)

  Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks!

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