Module 2-Email Lists vs Discussion boards

What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards?

Email lists
Pros: More personal, more related to subject matter with a group that have all agreed to sign up on the particular list. More respect between members.
Cons: Knowledge is limited, you don't get the same diversified group of people sharing their knowledge. Risk of members emailing group with unimportant information thus disturbing them, a sense of abusing the closed members group.

Discussion Groups
Pros: Anyone can join, larger breadth of people from different background, all with the subject in common. Share of experiences and knowledge is larger. You can be more open about your opinions since one can be posting under a nickname.
Cons: People might be more inclined to "speak their minds" since under a nickname, could be offending to some. Can sometimes lead to a discussion away from the subject matter, distracting for people who entered to discuss the particular interest.

Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?

Email lists: Group of 3-40 members perhaps. Department within a workplace or university or any smaller cultural society with a specific interest. Subject matters which will be of interest to the members, not regarded as "junk". Could be important announcements.

Discussion groups: Groups of people who choose themselves when to be involved in the group discussions, perhaps less time restricted material than that on a email list.