Apologies to the list-owners for extending this discussion but my monitor
died on Wednesday and I am only just catching-up on the discussion, and
would just like to add a few points as Chair of the Web Advisory Group.
With so many questions and points raised by a number of individuals I have
chosen to reply to them all by one single message

There was extensive consultation concerning the role and content of the
website via an online questionnaire and direct approaches to the various
groups, regions, ctes and SoA Officers. This
process will be repeated, though on a smaller scale, in 2002.

The issue of full time paid support for the site has been raised before -
the ICT panel/sub-cte took it to Council in Sept 2000. I personally believe
that the site requires about 20 hours a week to maintain and develop.

In my new role as Website Developer I have been asked to look into the
costs and issues surrounding the creation of a Society-based discussion
list / resource. In the past this idea has
been dismissed as being too close to the existing role of archives-nra, but
recent discussion has shown that there is much that can and should be
discussed in such a forum.

The website is already being used to increase the Society's activities and
publications - for example the Registration Scheme Guidance Notes are made
available via the website and as such this is seen as the primary (though
not sole) mechanism for distrubition and this issue was raised again at the
last Publications Sub-Cte meeting.

With regard to the distribution of material electronically the revamped
website, which will be coming to a monitor near you very soon, will (in the
new year) feature a members area where it is hoped that Group, Region,
Committee and Council minutes will be placed for members to access. I am
also hoping to develop a personal profile element to allow individuals to
select whether they receive material electronically, manually or both. In
the North West region - electronic distrubition has been the practice for
several years now.

I hope that people continue to have strong views and opinions on the role
and content of the Society's website, and perhaps some will consider
developing an active role in this process by joining the Web Advisory
Group. If you are interested - please contact me or Matt Stephenson
(Secretary of the Web Advisory Group).

I am currently holding the reins for the website until a team of volunteers
have been recruited to take-on this role and I hope that an announcement on
this will be possible in the new year.

best wishes
Simon

Simon Wilson
49 Heywood Boulevard, Thingwall, Wirral CH61 3XB
[log in to unmask]
tel. 0151 648 5932
http://www.archivesinfo.net/




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