# How can I create an e-mail list? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 30, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-create-an-e-mail-list/512097 "2009-09-30T13:31:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-create-an-e-mail-list/512097/1 "2009-09-30T13:31:50Z")
I’ve been searching all over the 'net and can’t find the information I need. What I want to do is create an e-mail account such that every message sent to it gets distributed to a specific set of people. Anyone on the list (and presumably anyone else) can send a message to it, and it will be received by everyone on the list. I want to give the address a meaningful name, such as [BasketWeaversAnonymous.com](http://BasketWeaversAnonymous.com), so that recipients can know who they’re getting mail from. So far I’ve been able to find services that a) let me buy huge lists of e-mail addresses for marketing, or b) let me send out newsletters from an address I can’t name on my own and that recipents can’t respond to or start their own threads. Help? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-create-an-e-mail-list/512097/2 "2009-09-30T13:36:11Z")
You need to run Listserve software on an internet-connected computer. There are free solutions like [Majordomo](http://www.greatcircle.com/majordomo/). ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-create-an-e-mail-list/512097/3 "2009-09-30T13:42:54Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > You need to run Listserve software on an internet-connected computer. There are free solutions like [Majordomo](http://www.greatcircle.com/majordomo/). There are many free listserv services that will let you set up small lists easily. I’ve heard good things about [Bravenet](http://www.bravenet.com/webtools/elist/)’s service, but I haven’t tried it myself. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-create-an-e-mail-list/512097/4 "2009-09-30T14:02:15Z")
It looks like Majordomo requires an extensive install, and has to run on a machine that’s always connected. That would be either my work computer (which I shouldn’t be using for that) or my home computer (which is not always connected). I looked at Bravenet, But that has the problem that I can’t name the group and I can only send newsletters that no one can answer back. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-create-an-e-mail-list/512097/5 "2009-09-30T14:43:41Z")
What about Google groups or Yahoo! groups? Don’t these do what you want? [http://groups.google.com/](http://groups.google.com/) > **[Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos](https://www.yahoo.com/)** > > Latest news coverage, email, free stock quotes, live scores and video are just the beginning. Discover more every day at Yahoo! ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-create-an-e-mail-list/512097/6 "2009-09-30T15:12:59Z")
I have had good luck with Yahoo! Groups. It also lets you set up a web page accessible for people willing to register (post files, group calendar, etc.), although it’s not necessary to register to be part of the email list. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-create-an-e-mail-list/512097/7 "2009-09-30T15:45:10Z")
Google Groups seems like it might fit the bill. I created the group and sent invitations. Let’s see how it works out. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-create-an-e-mail-list/512097/8 "2009-10-01T18:18:30Z")
Thanks again for the suggestions. Google Groups is exactly what I was looking for.