Dear Museum-L readers:
The post quoted below reads like an advertisement. I have no objections to
this kind of advertisement appearing on museum-l, since its information
appears to be in the public interest. Nonetheless, if it is an
advertisement it should be appropriately identified as such.

The writer (Pam Lucas) then proceeds to give this program an endorsement of
sorts, but, from her signature, below, it appears as if she is part of the
company offering the product. As long as one of the current threads on
museum-l is "museum-l etiquette," we may as well suggest that there be some
kind of full disclosure principle that regulates notices such as these.

This may be a fine product for its set of intended users (it may not), but
when someone reads statements like: "I can honestly say that PastPerfect
does everything needed for
accurate, efficient, and easy data management." I can bet that there will
be many museums for which PastPerfect will not be accurate, efficient or
easy.  As a museum object management consultant, I can say (and you all
know it to be true) that museums have varying automation needs, some
simple, and some extremely sophisticated. Conflict of interest endorsements
such as that which accompanies this message are less than helpful since
they can take advantage of the naivete of some of the readers on this list.

Robert Baron
[log in to unmask]

At 01:53 PM 6/9/98 +0000, Pam Lucas wrote:

>The AASLH in conjunction with AltaMira Press have just released a new
>collection and membership management software called PastPerfect Museum
>Software. This product was designed by computer and museum professionals and
>so contains everything needed for registration and cataloging, as well as
>membership management, in one affordable, easy-to-use, integrated package.
>The software runs on Windows 95, and requires a computer that has a minimum
>75 MHz Pentium Processor, 16 MB RAM, 30 MB disk space, and CD-ROM (though a
>200 MHz Pentium processor with 32 MB RAM is recommend for faster speed in
>processing queries and handling images). Digital imaging and network
>upgrades are also available, as well as a demonstration CD.
>
>For more information, please check out www.museumsoftware.com or contact
>AltaMIra Press at 925/938-7243. Information is also available at the AASLH
>website (www.aaslh.org) or AltaMira Press site (www.altamirapress.com)
>
>
>As a former museum professional responsible for collections management at my
>institution, I can honestly say that PastPerfect does everything needed for
>accurate, efficient, and easy data management. Not being able to afford most
>of the packages currently on the market, I had to build my own database
>using Microsoft Access, which though it is doable is certainly not an easy
>or quick process.
>
>
>At 04:09 PM 6/6/98 -0400, you wrote:
>>I am interning at my local historical society and I have a question on
>>accession.  The historical society/museum is small and as of right now they
>>are doing their accessions on type-writers.  My question is what kind of
>>computer system would be good for them to use and what kind of software is
>>recommended for accession?  Please respond on or off the list.  Thank you
>>in advance.  Intern, Kristy Miller.  E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>>
>Pam Lucas
>AltaMira Press
>1630 North Main Street, Suite 367
>Walnut Creek, CA 94596
>(510) 938-7243
>Fax: (510) 933-9720
>[log in to unmask]
>