Mailing lists still hold an important role in many free software projects and are a place where development is co-ordinated and support provided.
When you subscribe to a mailing list, you generally have the option of receiving every individual message or receiving a daily digest. However, if you need to read a few, this can still clog up your inbox.
Whilst you could read web-based archives, my favourite option is reading them though Gmane – an NNTP/mailing list gateway.
Gmane allows you to read newsgroups through a USENET newsreader (basic newsgroup facility is built into software like Thunderbird . I find this a more manageable way to read mailing lists, because the client threads them for me.
Gmane works both ways: it allows you to post to newsgroups through USENET too. All it does is the first time you try to post to a mailing list, it sends you a verification email to confirm it is indeed you.
Gmane also allows you to read newsgroups through RSS, so you could use a feed reader (online or desktop)!
There are currently over 10,000 mailing lists accessible through Gmane, ranging from the Wikipedia mailing lists to a blackjack group! To find groups, browse their website or browse their newsserver.
Related posts:
Thunderbird: Unsubscribe Mailing ListsA Web Interface For Newsgroups Downloads
Make Claws Mail aware when you need top or bottom posting
Increase Thundebird’s Mass Mailing Capabilities
The best Usenet Search Engines
Email Verification Software
Get Magazine Style RSS News Feeds Delivered To Your Inbox
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