Dear Readers:

I have been following the "splinter" conversation for quite some time and I
feel that the time has come for me to put my two cents worth in!

I am quite disturbed at the prospect of losing such a rich and diverse resource
as MUSEUM-L - it is one stop shopping for someone such as myself.  I am
interested in quite a variety of museum issues and would probably drop out of
the MUSEUM-L discussion group if it were to splinter.  I DO NOT have the time
to visit the multitude of splinter groups that are being suggested.  I DO have
the time to continue enjoying the current exchange of information currently
shared on MUSEUM-L.

Before we do something rash. let's look at our options - DO we ALWAYS have to
respond to comments, questions, etc. to the group at large or CAN we return
postings to the original sender only?  Do we need to include a compilation of a
discussion followed by our comments or SHOULD we use the archives to its
fullest potential and just note the articles we are responding to?  Does
EVERYONE really need or want to be involved in an exhange of specialized info,
data, test results etc. between ten people or SHOULD concerned individuals
communicate amongst themselves with end results being made available to the
group as requested?  SHOULD we establish subject codes for our use?  Etc.,
Etc., Etc. ...

There are a variety of self-policing opportunities I would like us to explore
before we splinter the special interest groups currently utilizing MUSEUM-L.

Thanks in advance for your consideration in this matter.

Patricia Davis-Perkins
e-mail patricia.davis.cmcc.muse.digital.ca