Mailing Lists Made Simple Get the 411 on setting up mailing lists.

If you're thinking of starting an e-newsletter or anInternet mailing list, there are several options for you in termsof setting one up.

First, understand that an e-newsletter is called an"announce only" or "announcement" list whereonly you can publish and distribute to all of the mailing listsubscribers. A regular Internet mailing list where people subscribethen talk amongst themselves is called a "discussionlist."

You can opt for a "moderated" or"unmoderated" list. Moderated means all messages go toyou first for approval before being sent out to all subscribers.Unmoderated means anyone who subscribes can post to the list andtheir message will be seen by all.

You can talk to your Internet service provider and find out ifit offers common mailing list software such as Majordomo orListserv. Having your ISP manage the technical setup andmaintenance could be a great advantage. Or go to sites likeeGroups.com or Topica.com, which allow you to open up a freeaccount with them and go through a simple setup process.

Whichever way you go, you should have a dedicated"host" or "moderator" for your list to maintainthe publishing of the e-newsletter or the discussion of thegroup.

Aliza Sherman is an entrepreneur and author of Cybergrrl:A Woman's Guide to the World Wide Web (Ballantine Books).She is currently working on her next book and new company.