Yes, I hope this discussion forum will become as lively as the old ANZSTAT, but without the many problems such as poor taste jokes and personal attacks. I know that many statisticians became exasperated with the old ANZSTAT list and left. This new home may not have every feature that everyone wants, but it will never be a home to trolls. 

I just received an (apparently real) email announcing that the ANZSTAT email list "is now closed".

I just wanted to register my disappointment and chime in that I don't find this web forum an adequate substitute. Nothing beats email for simplicity, convenience and robustness.

While the email list is not exactly a thriving community these days, I do value it. In the last 24 hours there have been great posts on Gamma GLMs, for instance.

The web forums here seem rather sterile by comparison.

Hi everyone,

I am so glad this has come up. 

Its always worth trying new things, and part of that is assessing if they are better and thus worthwile continuing with. 

I find the communication and discussion on the "old"/"current" list a constant source of new idea's, tips and worthwhile debate on a wide range of issues. Not to mention a fabulous way to stay connected with our wider community.

I find the new list unweildy for a number of reasons. But one big one is that I can't receive content via email (at least I dont see that option anywhere). Sure I get a notification that there is a post, but then I have to click on a link to see the actual content. I subscribe to at least 20 different online newsletters, lists, forums, etc. I likely get at least 10+ emails a day from them.

Imagine if rather than send me emails they all sent me notificaitons. I would have to click on 10+ links a day to see their content, rather than do what I currently do which is spend as little time as possible each morning trying to get through all my emails (usually many more than the 10 I get from lists) by scanning them for interest and need to action. It would take up too much of my time clicking 10+ links because it is a slow and inefficient way of accessing information. 

The only reason I saw this post is that I am currently reviewing what lists I want to stay on to reduce my email noise. This is literally the first time I have ever clicked through. Meaning if I am to remove myself from lists I dont use, this would have to be one.

The new forum may seem great in isolation, but if one looks at the bigger picture on how people use these types of lists in their everyday work life I suspect it just doesn't fit in. Which will lead to a drop in usage and communication between members. 

The requirement is really simple - the old ANZStat sends you each contribution immediately which my email program (Outlook) sends to its own folder. For me to see a message means that I look at the folder and the message is available immediately.

Until the new system has the same functionality I prefer not to switch.

just adding my 2 cents - one benefit of the old list is that the content is surfaced up front, whereas with the forum, there are many clicks until you can actually see the content -- readers are naturally less willing the invest the 'clicks', and contributors wouldn't want their content to be 'hidden' behind layers of clicks.