Each interested person registers their email address with the group and from that point on receives all emails sent to the group.

There are several other features such as live text "chats" , group calendar, opinion polls, and a small "vault" where group members can upload files, documents, pictures, web page addresses to share with the group.

These lists work as follows; the first person posts a statement or a question to the Northampton List via normal email to northamptonpa@egroups.com. The next several persons could answer the question or state a reaction to the statement from the first person.

Then you can get sidebar email "conversations" among the people responding to the first question/statement. And of course, new people can jump in with new topics to discuss. All of these messages appear in your email, unless you choose to view Northampton List discussions via a web browser using "digest" mode.

The list is managed at a third party site; eGroups. The Northampton Webmaster retains some control over who may join in. Initially everyone who applies will be accepted automatically by the system.

Obscene and very offensive behavior will lead to removal from the Northampton Email Discussion Group. If necessary, the sign up procedure will be changed to require webmaster approval before people can join or rejoin.

This free service is provided by eGroups.com and is supported by advertisements in the email.

The Northampton webmaster and Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce have only loose control over this site (since it is located on eGroup's server rather than the Northampton server) and cannot guarantee privacy of your information. If you are concerned over privacy, you should not join the discussion group.

... step 1 Register, step 2 join the Northampton group
Registering (The following is a direct quote from the eGroups web site information)

Anyone can browse and search the messages of groups that are public on eGroups.com, but to take full advantage of our service we ask you to register.
When registered, you can join groups and participate in their on-going discussions.
1. To register go to http://www.egroups.com/register and enter your email address.
IMPORTANT! At this point, we just send you an e-mail message containing a validation number. (This is how we make sure no one else can register as you.)
2. Check your inbox for the validation email and copy the number.
Under some circumstances involving variables outside our control, an email message can take several hours to be delivered. If you don't receive the validation email, please wait and check again later. If you still don't receive it, you can mail support@egroups.com and they can assist you.
3. Go back to the "Completing Registration" page showing in your browser and paste the number, or click on the blue highlighted URL in the e-mail. You must create a password. (You can always choose another later if you forget it.)
That's it! Click "Done" and you have your new, free eGroups.com account. You can now fully participate in multiple e-mail groups.

join Northampton Group
How to subscribe:
There are two ways to subscribe to a group: via e-mail or via the web on the group's home page.
To subscribe via e-mail:
Send an e-mail to: northamptonpa-subscribe@egroups.com

To subscribe via the group's home page:
1. Go to the group home page http://www.egroups.com/list/northamptonpa/
2. Go to the group info page
3. Click on the "Join" button, and then follow the instructions to complete subscription. You can choose to receive messages via e-mail (in individual or daily digest format) or only by accesing them via the web on the group's home page.