SharePoint can configure alerts only for Windows Groups. Follow these steps:
- Create a SharePoint Group and make sure is E-mail enabled, as a
result this will create a Distribution List in AD (also makes sure the domain group has at visitor permissions on the list that are you are creating the alerts for - you might end up with BOTH the SharePoint and AD Group having permissions - leave them both!!)
- In AD, change properties of the newly created group to Group Type =
Security. This is because only security groups will show up in
SharePoint's people picker as Domain Groups.
- Then setup the alert and use the address book to locate the domain
group. In the address book you'll see it with the form "DOMAIN\group
name".
On list having approval turned on you need to approve items before the alerts are sent.
As alternative you could envision a simple SPD 2010 Workflow to send notification emails, if you only target just few lists, using the "Wait for a change..." activity and looking for the "Approval Status" property (if Content Approval is enabled) or simply have the workflow send email to a group of people upon Item Creation.
Or use something free on CodePlex (used to work for MOSS 2007) http://advancedalert.codeplex.com/
Hope it helps,
C:\Marius