Dynamic contrasts these services with existing mechanisms for delivery to static lists of users or outlets, such as LISTSERV and Mailman, Usenet, distribution lists, address books, etc. Dynamic here is indicative of the fact that the population for a given information item may literally change from one moment to the next, without any specifically related action taken by the users or some authority.

To illustrate this last point, whereas the distribution for a LISTSERV list can only be modified by either a user (un)subscribing or the list owner adding or removing them, the distribution for a DPIDS resource can be modified by a user registering a BlazerID; updating their forwarding address; registering for or dropping a class; being hired, transferred, or terminated; completing web based training, etc., as just a few examples.

At present, there are four primary DPIDS services in use and under development: CEDS, BEDROC, PEBBLES, and BAMBAM. More information about each can be found by using the relevant link to the left. However, the matrix below is intended to provide a broad overview of the differences between them.

BEDROC
PEBBLES
CEDS
BAMBAM

Delivery Method

Alert e-mail when documents are pending acknowledgement

Direct e-mail / attachment

Direct notices / digest / feed with links for further info

Audience

As designated

Dynamic, per e-mail

Broad-based

Targeting

Determined by rules defined for each item

Based on destination e-mail address

Requested on origination form

Originator

VP-level office responsible for document / audience

Authorized sender for target audience

Anyone, but must be “perked” through chain of authority

Timing

Initial “push” for new documents; regular reminders of unread items

Immediate in most cases

Low-priority, batched

“Opt-out”

No; reading and acknowledgement is mandatory

No; sent to all recipients matching criteria

Yes

Best for

Official policies and procedures

Information / announcements relevant to specific groups

General interest announcements