mailing list and forum

[rio_bugarin]

Im just wondering, what is the difference between mailing list and forum?

[pentachris]

A mailing list is just what it sounds like - a list of names and addresses who should receive a particular (often recurring) mailing.

A forum is a meeting place for discussion or expression of ideas.

[mjc]

Mailing lists can and often do hold discussions of an ongoing nature among the members, but generally that is all...just members only.

Forums are generally open to, at least, the general public viewing the discussions.

Forums can also have mailing list features, such as notifications of postings, daily/weekly compilation of all postings, etc...

And sometimes, people just use the words interchangeably...