HOw about a middle of the road perspective?  The MuseumL is an open sounding
board and  those who take the time to post to the list should not be
personally attacked for the content of their query or suggestion.
Furthermore, we should not assume that a person who makes an appeal for help
has not carefully considered other options first and then decided to use
this list.  If a subject does not interest you or seems irksome and
unnecessary, why not just strike the delete key and be done with it?

Conversely,,  many of us working in the museum field today did not have the
luxury of the internet and email lists when preparing theses, dissertations,
or research projects (and job hunting)and may be immediately skeptical of
anyone who uses the Museum--L for help in these areas.  If students make
general queries that sound as if they have not exhausted other options
first, their postings may very well become lunch hour laughter in museums
across the country.

Solution: Museum Professionals - Ignore and delete queries that do not
interest you and avoid the urge to pontificate. Students - Use the list
sparingly, and make sure that your questions reflect competency,
intleligence and good study skills.


Nicholas P. Ciotola
Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania


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