Just One Vote Here

[swarren@xxxxxxxx]

I'm in agreement to keep this as a single list vs. six or seven lists. I'd
subscribe to them all, but there are a few which I would let pile up, such
as:

"Photo3D.Nimslo.Went.Belly-Up.Again.(And.I.Just.Bought.Mine.Last.Week)"
"Photo3D.What.Film.To.Use.In.This.Here.Camera"
"Photo3D.Newbie.Who.Refuses.To.Check.The.Archives"

In regards to Andy Burr's suggestion, it is a very good one because
collectors such as myself are probably not agressive enough to ask
questions on this list. In reality (and this is no criticism) the shooters
and techno-gurus don't have a clue to give us on Anthony's 1857 series
through the Mid-Atlantic States.

If we stay as one list, then the collectors should probably start becoming
more vocal with questions and facts. We should stop pretending that we're
sitting in the backseat while the conversation stays focused on cameras and
shooting contemporary stereo.

If we split in any direction, I REALLY like the Usenet idea because
Rec.Photography.* has set a good example of how this can be done to
accomodate everyone. If Usenet is not available as an option, and if we
MUST split in some manner, then I think it's logical to just go into two
directions at first: Photo3D.Cameras.Technique AND Photo3D.Collecting.

These names are just suggestions, BTW. To go much farther into splinter
groups would be too much for me to handle, personally.

As an aside (but related because we're at least discussing the matter...),
why the heck don't we go to a newsgroup format? We keep talking about "the
beginners" who we're so concerned about bringing aboard...

Then how come we keep this little private thing all to ourselves, with the
only advertising being word of mouth and NSA/ISU publications? Beginners
would probably multiply ten-fold if we were open for business on the
Usenet!

Other advantages to a Newsgroup format rather than private mailing list:
- as was said before, you can pick and choose which threads to read (or ignore)
- threads have the potential for taking us deeper into a specialized subject
- those of us who like to back up threads won't have to patch 'em together!
- we create broader awareness due to public visibility on the net
- more beginners might enter the hobby (okay, I've counted this twice!)
- no backlogs of 400 messages waiting for you when you take time off
- camera manufacturing reps might peek in and get a bright idea
- we could have a rec.photo3D.marketplace newsgroup for selling cool stuff
- people who don't know where to sell that "dang camera with two lenses"
stand a
  much better chance of putting it in good hands (namely, ours!)
- no more legal arguments whether this is protected speech vs. public speech
- We can post Binaries without having to ask permission to put it on the server

Sure, there are down-sides:
- flames become possible (like we're not arguing now?)
- people stumble into the wrong group and make idiots of themselves
- Spam artists will offer us "Make A Zillion Dollars" scams
- someone might post a nude binary (and my five year old might catch me looking
  at it! "Get out of here, kid - I'm doing RESEARCH...")

These things can certainly be handled, ignored or suffered without too much
consequence, IMO.

Any comments from those who know how to set up a newsgroup? I can't imagine
it would be too difficult, seeing as how there are over 22,000 newsgroups
and most of them are as empty as alt.barney.dinasaur.die.die.die.!


Stephen Warren
Roanoke, VA
PS- As for AOL or any other provider that charges $3 per hour, I can
sympathize. I just quit AOL after remaining loyal way too long (I was
afraid of change, basically). I can get 100 hours per month of full-blown
internet access for $25, and I would encourage others to switch to the
cheaper alternatives if possible. They are usually out there, especially in
large cities.



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