[470] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Lists--Comments
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Wed Jun 10 10:48:41 1992
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1992 08:26:06 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
4 Messages, 125 Lines
*-----
From: Elizabeth S. Lane <llane@cni.org>
Subject: Re: Lists--Comments
I think we've got a number of issues that are blurring together here.
I wasn't suggesting that Bill Drew's postings were "junk mail." The
guide he put together is a valuable resource, and it should indeed be
publicized over the nets. But he wondered why several list owners and
moderators objected to the cross-posting, and that's what I was responding
to.
Networks aren't free. And time is a valuable commodity, as well. It is
in all of our best interests to minimize overlap in information distribution
via the nets. Otherwise, the value of the information is diminished.
One of my favorite T.S. Eliot quotes is "Where's the wisdom we have lost
in knowledge? Where's the knowledge we have lost in information?" That's
the real risk here.
Apparently, it's seen as "whining" to acknowledge that there are real
limitations of the technology some of us use. I don't agree. As long as
there are technical barriers to access, I think that information
providers have a responsibility to acknowledge them. We don't tell people
who are illiterate "Hey, stop whining, it's not *our* fault you can't read."
Instead, we find ways to make information more accessible. <I'll
put on my flame-retardant suit now, since I'm sure this analogy will draw
as much fire as the "environment" one did...>
The simple solution to Bill's issue, it seems to me, is rooted in the
same etiquette that guides our participation in non-electronic forums:
ask first. Don't post to a list you don't participate in without first
asking if the post is appropriate. Why is this such a threatening
idea? Would we walk willy-nilly into classrooms on campus, demanding to
announce the availability of bibliographic resources, and then wonder
why some faculty and students complained about our methods?
| Elizabeth Lane Current Internet: llane@cni.org |
| ** as of 6/19/92: ** |
| University of Alabama SILS Internet: elane3@ua1vm.ua.edu |
| Tuscaloosa, AL BITNET: ELANE3@UA1VM |
*-----
From: CGOODSON@UGA
Subject: Re: Lists--Comments
On Tue, 9 Jun 1992 09:27:36 CDT Public-Access Computer Systems Forum said:
> "I've seen this on another list - so don't send it to me on
>this list." What? Was Bill Drew supposed to be psychic? He - or any of us -
>are supposed to know (or remember) everyone who is on the lists we belong to?
Maybe we need some kind of "duplicate removal" capability....like on
DIALOG! :-)
| Carol Goodson, Coordinator/Off-Campus Library Services |
| Ingram Library, WEST GEORGIA COLLEGE |
| Carrollton GA 30118 |
| Phone: (404) 836-6502 FAX: (404) 836-6626 |
| Bitnet: cgoodson@uga Internet: cgoodson@uga.cc.uga.edu|
"You only live once: but once is enough if you play it right"
--Woody Allen (Interiors)
*-----
From: pfa@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (PF Anderson)
Subject: Re: Lists--Comments
Does anyone have information about the actual costs of using the
Internet? I know a person who refuses to send "long-distance"
e-mail because she is convinced that it will cost her university
more money. She keeps saying "somewhere along the line there is
a long-distance phone call required, even if the charge doesn't
come back to your computer." With all the discussion we have now
about Internet costs and economy and spiralling out of control,
I'd like to know the real scoop. What *does* it cost to send an
e-mail message? Locally, intranationally or internationally?
How do the costs break down? Is distance sent mroe of an issue
or is size of the message more of an issue?
Thanks to anyone who knows!
Pat Anderson
Barnes Learning Resources Center
Galter Library
Northwestern University
303 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago IL 60611
pfa@nwu.edu
*-----
From: "Bill Drew-Serials/Reference Librar. SUNY Morrisville"
<DREWWE@snymorva.bitnet>
Subject: Re: Lists--Comments
Liz Lane's comments about connecting to the INTERNET and the so-called
"infoglut" have been quite interesting and have gotten me thinking more about
comments I made earlier.
The issue of funding for Internet and Bitnet access is crucial but where ever I
have worked it seems that if the right administrators are interested in a
project funding is ALWAYS found. Access is available through many different
avenues other than directly. Liz Lane is appears to be using FIDO net. I was
at a meeting yesterday where one of the librarians is getting e-mail to and
from the network via a FIDO bulletin board at no cost other than her modem and
phone call.
If the only ones getting access are the techies then perhaps more of us need to
become acquainted with those techies.
Concerning the "infoglut","junk" e-mail and inadequate systems, I still stand
my ground that such issues MUST be discussed with systems administrators at
your institution. I would bet that most of us don't know the full range of
options available in our mail programs that might ease the "infoglut".
I also strongly urge everyone to look at the latest issue of BYTE where the term
infoglut is from. It doesn't look at as only a problem as some people on this
list do. It is looked at as an opportunity.
Wilfred Drew (Call me "Bill") Serials/Reference/Computers Librarian
State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology
P.O. Box 902; Morrisville, NY 13408-0902
DECnet: SMORV::DREWWE BITNET: DREWWE@SNYMORVA
Internet: DREWWE@SNYMORVA.CS.SNYMOR.EDU or DREWWE@SNYMORVB.CS.SNYMOR.EDU
Phone: (315)684-6055 or 684-6060 Fax: (315)684-6115
