In answer to some of Derrol Hopewell's comments:
> 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.
This is fair comment and I agree that museums should be encouraged to get
access to the Internet, especially e-mail, as soon as possible. However, I
suspect that there are still a large number of museums in the UK that are
currently trying very hard to obtain the necessary resources - but are not,
as yet, on-line. The MCG has a role to play in encouraging those in this
position and in providing them with ammunition to use in the battle to win
over fund holders/decision makers. The only way to do this is by using the
good old-fashioned postal system and face to face meetings.
> 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).
Printing out an eight page Newsletter costs quite a bit (in time as well as
money) - especially if you have a slow printer. And there is no such thing
as free information - it all costs somebody somewhere something (but maybe
I'm being pedantic).
> 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.
Whilst this seems a good idea on the face of it, the work involved (over
and above the time spent arranging the meeting itself) may put potential
hosts off. It would also mean that meeting fees would be variable and
unpredictable which may put potential attendees off.
What do other MCG members think?
Sue Gordon
MCG Chair
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