Having been one of those who entered this same discussion the last
time around, and probably at least two or three occasions in the last
few years when it has previously become an issue of discontent, I was
not going to bother repeating my own point of view but rather make
this sentence quite a bit longer by making one statement about it and
asking one question:
1. It is preferable to have the specific replies to queries going to
the individual with requests made to that person to concatentate
replies. I then think it is not unreasonable for that person to send
collected responses to the whole list rather than spend a lot of time
emailing individuals. There is always a balance to be struck with
lists with so many subscribers. I am judicious with my delete button
and don't find filtering useful but that is a personal choice.
People who complain about getting several emails from such a large
list might rather take responsibility for their subscription and just
read or search the archives when they need something from it rather
than asking people to be quiet. We cannot always know what will annoy
some people over others. It is also unreasonable also to ask for
specific things not to be advertised or discussed, such as local
events when they are clearly of museum education interest.
2. The question. GEM was one of the first heritage/museum list I
subscribed to almost 10 years ago and I have benefitted greatly from
it for all the reasons others have mentioned. However, I have always
wondered why a) a complementary curatoriral or exhibition-based museum
list doesn't exist or b) a general museum-talk doesn't exist, for
example, one which is specifically for discussion rather than queries
and announcments.
Would members of this list find either a) or b) useful? Or do they
exist elsewhere? Please let me know OFF LIST and I WILL circulate
responses ON LIST if enough people respond.
Thank you,
Tehmina.
--
Dr Tehmina Goskar, MA AMA
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Historical and Museum Research
Web Communication and Learning Development
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