If your intent is to create a list of addresses that you'd like to send mail to using a group address, you can do this easily within your own mail program by following the simple instructions in the program (In Outlook Express, go to Help/Index and scroll to Groups, Create). But if you want any member on the list to be able to send mail to all members the list will have to hosted by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) so all members can access it.

The first thing you need to do is create your list of e-mail addresses in a text file and save it on a diskette. This could be members of your bridge club, church group, investment club or whatever. I suggest you make sure the folks on your list wish to be on it because some may object. Next, take the diskette to a local ISP and ask if they will host it for free in Web mail. It might help to be a member of the ISP but most ISPs will probably host your list free because it gives them visibility, especially for a municipal list like RBmail. If the owner agrees, he'll create a list account in Webmail with you as the administrator and load your addresses from the diskette. You'll give him the name of your list (like rbmail) after which he'll give you a Webmail address and an ID and password to administer the list. This will only take a few minutes if they're not busy.

Before announcing your list to members and telling them what the group address is you'll need to set up options in your new Webmail account on how it's to be run. The most important option is to allow only members to send mail to the list, otherwise it will surely be spammed. Depending on the ISP's Webmail software, you'll probably have other options to specify such as the maximum size message that members can send or appending the list name in the subject line like [rbmail], etc.

It's easy to manage a list. There are only two actions at the ISP you'll need to take: (1) add, delete or modify addresses upon request by members and (2) diagnose error messages that appear when mail can't be delivered to members. Errors occur mainly when members fail to notify you of their new address or they let mail pile up while out of town and exceed the limit at their ISP. You'll have to make phone calls to members periodically.

Members like to know who other members are that send mail to them so you should keep an updated member list that can be sent to new members when subscribing or periodically to all members. You'll need their names and e-mail addresses but their home address and phone number will be helpful to have on a master list that you'll retain.

It's your list so you can set the rules. I personally don't like rules other than to request that members be nice to each other. Rules require a policeman and you'll be too busy managing the list to be mediating disputes, which only last 3 days anyway. I've seen e-mail lists become short-lived because of too many rules. Good luck on your list. Let me know if you need help.