I run a writing list called NovelDoc which uses topics to permit an author
and a team of two critiquers to go into a private "room" and work.  In this
way, we've had up to eight different novels being posted and critiqued
simultaneously.  We have a group topic called Talk and other specialty
topics in which various groups participate.

I do all the topic changes, preceded by the quiet command, to avoid the
headaches involved in explaining it to my members and straightening out
mistakes.  It's no problem because we work to schedules and don't make
changes on the fly.  When I add a group to a room (topic), I post a welcome
message so they know they're there.  When I clear a room I post another
advisory message.  I'm subscribed to the ALL topic.  No one is subscribed
to the OTHER topic.

For us, topics has worked like an absolute charm.

Jilla


>
>I operate a list on which a majority of subscribers discuss one subset of
>topics while a minority is interested in another subset.  The result is
>many messages from the majority which is of no interest to the minority.
>One solution that has been proposed is the use of the TOPICS feature of
>listserve.
>
>We have discussed TOPICS on our list and naturally, the majority is happy
>with things as they are and the minority think that implementing TOPICS
>would be wonderful.
>
>Do any of you who have experience with TOPICS have any advice about it.
>Pros, cons, things to watch out for?
>
>TIA
>
>John