John Chiodo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
 
> I would like to forward a concern.  While I feel that it is imperative that
> we communicate with each other, some of us can't handle the growing number of
> postings per day.   Can't we break this list down into special interest
> groups and a general fyi list?
>
 
At this point there are more economical ways to receive newsgroups
and mailing lists than commercial services like AOL and Compuserve,
especially if you live in or near large cities. SLIP/PPP accounts
are easier to get and the prices are getting competitive. Mail
programs like the commercial version of Eudora file incoming mail
by subject and remember museum-l is much easier to handle as a
newsgroup (bit.listserv.museum-l).
 
It's well worth a museum's effort to look into deals to be made
with local access providers, be they commercial or universities.
 
Of course I say this from an NYU account but I also use a
commercial PPP account that costs $30 a month (I've seen
them for as low as $15 a month lately) and gives unlimited
access to mail, the web, newsgroups et al and it's worth every penny.
Having telnet (and knowing how to use it) gives you incredible access.
And most of the necessary software is still either free or cheap
shareware.
 
We're at a somewhat clunky (and for many, expensive) stage in all
this but within a year or so access shouldn't be much more expensive
or difficult than cable TV. At least that's what the powers-that-
be are saying.
 
Robbin Murphy
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