A colleague has asked for the following to be included in the discussion
I have been a member of numerous computer based groups over the past
5
years, Here are some points I feel (from experience), should be
considered regarding MCG subscriptions and costs:
1. As this is the Museums Computer Group perhaps it should be fair
to
assume that everyone has access to the Internet. If not perhaps they
should make it a priority for this new year, any computer will do,
the
only cost being that of a modem, ISP's are free.
2. They will at least be able to receive email, then the news
letter,
calls for papers, events calendars, etc. can all be posted on the
news
group, with everyone then being kept informed. Cost, the price of a
local telephone call, less than a stamp.
3. No need to photo copy anything in large numbers. emailed details
can
even be printed and displayed on notice boards at the recipients
sites.
Cost to MCG, nil.
4. Why should we always have to expect to pay for something? We have
the
capability to supply information relatively free of charge using the
Internet (If you are down loading your email a few seconds longer
for a
news letter costs virtually nothing).
5. Cost will always be incurred with any meeting of social gathering
therefore it is fair to pass on these costs to the people attending
the
gathering. To reduce these costs they can be collected at the event,
although for expensive or large events this is possibly not a viable
option, but the host of the event could be responsible for
collecting
their own fees.
6. Paying for information distributed on the Internet is someone's
idea
to make money and is against the original philosophy of the Internet
which is "Information free for all".
7. The world is not only changing but it has changed. More people
read
email than read snail mail and the younger generation are more
comfortable with email than mail. It is more convenient, arrives
quicker, and is easier to dispose of, than paper based mail but can
still be printed if need be. it doesn't work the other way quite so
well.
8, Yes information can, and where appropriate should, be placed on
the
Web. however it is not the best place to put a news letter, archives
yes, are very often put on the Web, but news is mainly posted to
news
groups first.
I hope these thoughts are of some benefit and I also hope you keep
membership of the group free for everyone.
Derrol Hopewell
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Regards
Tony
Legal Disclaimer:-
Please be aware that messages sent over
the Internet may not be secure and should
not be seen as forming a legally binding
contract unless otherwise stated.
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