[399] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Discussions on the List
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (k.webb@abn.nla.gov.au)
Tue Jun 2 12:13:23 1992
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1992 10:53:49 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
From: k.webb@abn.nla.gov.au
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
In reading the conversations on the List over the past couple of weeks
(particularly the 'archive' vs 'service' controversy) I have been surprised
at the reiteration of views which have been debated ad nauseam for years and
years in the profession. Hannah King said yesterday that when she joined
the list, she expected to hear the sort of conversation that you'd get in
French cafe society. I think that it's more like a cocktail party where
you're circulating - or even a dinner party.
Sure, we're hearing from some of the great thinkers in the community, but
most of us who contribute are just plain folks who take the time to type a
few words. And that's good, and we rely on the moderators to keep some quality
in the contributions.
What we're seeing here is a global extension of the village common, where
people of all types are exchanging ideas with a great deal of immediacy. Lots
of folks (large sectors such as public librarians) are under-represented in the
discussions, but I see that as placing more responsibility on the rest of us
to use the medium more effectively. Even if what we're saying has been said
before.
Kerry Webb
National Library of Australia
