What do you start out with?
bConnected Lists (Google Groups) come configured as standard mailing lists that allow you to communicate to list members through a group email address. When you create your list, you will determine who can post to your list, e.g., list managers only, members only, or the entire world. Your list will come established with specific permissions, such as the ability for managers to add or view members.
Your list is automatically available to use for sharing content in Google Apps, such as documents in bDrive or calendar invites in bCal.
List managers have flexibility to update settings as they like, from the Manage section of Google Groups.
Navigation path: My Groups > name of the group you want to edit > Manage in the upper-right corner.
Enable web archive/set who can see posts
One of the most useful new features of bConnected Lists is the online archiving feature, which allows you to archive messages and make them available on the list’s page within Google Groups.
It’s easy to turn this feature on by enabling archive messages to the group. To control who is able to see the items within the archive, you can adjust the setting controls. Keep in mind that your list subscribers won't be able to get daily summaries or combined updates if your list's messages aren't archived.
Tip: If the web archive is enabled, and list members are allowed to see posts, they will be able to confirm their message was sent to the list successfully by checking the archive.
Navigation path: Information > Content control > Archive options and Permissions > Basic permissions > View topics
Managing the membership of the bConnected List (Google Group)
Inviting/Adding new members
It is easy to invite or directly add members to your list. Before you begin, you will need to have the email addresses of the individuals you’d like to invite or add. We recommend you include an invitation/welcome message that includes links to the bConnected Lists service page so individuals can access support documents as needed.
Note: if you directly add members with bConnected accounts you’ll want to add a welcome message in the “Write a welcome message” field in order to generate a welcome message. Non-bConnected members who are directly added will automatically receive a welcome message that includes the general information included in the Group description.
See more information on inviting and subscribing members.
Navigation path: Members > Direct Add Members or Members > Invite Members
Who’s allowed to join
By default, anyone with a bConnected account can request to join your list. (You’ll have to approve them before they become a member of the list.)
You can change this setting to these options:
- Only invited users: Managers must invite anyone they want to join the group
- Anyone in the organization: Anyone with a bConnected account can join the list, without Manager approval
- Anyone in the organization can ask: Anyone with a bConnected account can ask to join the list, a manager must approve the request before the new member is added (default)
- Public: Anyone in the world can join the group, without Manager approval
- Anyone can ask: Anyone in the world can ask to join the list, the manager must approve the request before the new member is added
See: set basic permissions for more information.
Navigation path: Permissions > Basic Permissions > Join the group
Who’s a member?
The All Members page includes the date each member joined the List, as well as their current email delivery preferences. By clicking on a member’s name, managers can set several options for the member. This is also where you can make other members of the group into Managers. See view members & modify member settings for details regarding the options. (To change who owns the list, use the UC Berkeley Manage Your Lists application.)
Navigation path: Members > All Members
Who’s allowed to see members/members’ emails
By default, members’ emails are not visible to managers or members. If you would like to view members’ emails, you will need to update the access permissions to enable managers to view. You can enable this permission and change the access to “Managers of the Group”or “Members of the Group”.
Navigation path: Manage > Permissions > Access Permissions
Setting Group information
Subject prefix
If you wish to include a subject prefix in email notifications for all messages posted to your list, you will need to add it within the email options settings. We recommend surrounding the prefix with brackets, e.g., [List Name] within the subject line.
Navigation path: Manage > Settings > Email Options
Group info
The information about your list can be reviewed and updated from the General Information page, including the list name (but not address), description, primary language, posting options, and iFrame HTML information. It will also be sent as part of the welcome message to new members. See the “Inviting/Adding new members” section above.
See: Establish general information for more details.
Navigation path: Manage > Information > General Information
Get listed in the directory
By default, your list will not be listed in the Google Groups directory. If you wish to make your list browsable by others, you can list it in the Google Groups directory. This will make it visible to anyone on the internet, and they will not have to log in to see it.
Note: This setting does not affect who can see your list’s posts. Refer to Controlling visibility of the group posts for further information.
Navigation path: Manage > Information > Directory