Mike Cheatham wrote:

snipped

>
>        I realize that the answers to these questions can easily result in
>a spitting match.  I have a feeling that many of 1067 subscribers (as of
>today) to this list are interested in seeing the responses.  As the owner
>of a few lists myself, I'm sensitive to the fact that reading everyone's
>laundry list is probably not the best use of this list.  I ask that if you
>do respond, then do so directly to me.  If there is general interest in
>seeing the responses, then those interested should make their desires
>known to the list, if there is enough interest then maybe the posts should
>go directly to the list.  But please, please, please, if you have
>something personal to say about personnel, then send that directly to me,
>and not to the list!!!
>        I will honor any and all requests that responses be kept confidential.
>


Yes!!!  I would most DEFINATELY like to read the responses to these very
interesting and valid questions and I feel that THAT is exactly why I
subscribed to this list 3 or 4 years ago.  I have been rather disappointed
with the fact that this list seems to only be used to ask questions to the
subscribers in general, (or to do research that could be done in the
library!) but then ninety percent of the time the questions are answered
personally off-list via e-mail.  I would suggest that more bandwidth is
wasted by sending the initial query which is usually followed by the
general "thank you" for information received off list, than if the list
were used in the manner for which it was originally designed (ie free flow
of information/ both ways).  All 1000+ of us have learned absolutety
nothing in a majority of these cases.  A mailbox full of questions and
thank-you's does'nt do anything for me, it is a waste of time!  If I
received the answers, then it would be worthwhile.  I would suggest that
the point of the list is to share opinions and information.  I want to know
what other's opinions are!  I would surmise that most of us realize that
opinions are just opinions, and the supposed spitting match should be
totally unneccesary if one keeps this in mind.  Rather than suggest replies
be made via e-mail off list, I would encourage a more open use of the list
and I would please encourage people to please respond TO THE LIST, in this
case and in future cases. IMHO, over the last year there has been hardly
any information gleaned except by those who pose the original questions,
those of us who may not have posed the question would certainly like to
learn the answers as well. Just my .02.

Best regards,
Cap

Douglas "Cap" Introne
Stable Isotope Laboratory
Sawyer Environmental Research Center
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469

Tel. (207) 581-2192
Fax (207) 581-3490
E-mail [log in to unmask]
URL: http://iceage.umeqs.maine.edu/geology/sil/home.htm