Why MDOsprey???

Norm Saunders (osprey@mtolympus.ari.net)
Fri, 17 Oct 1997 18:48:00 -0500 

I posted this message to the list earlier this week but for some 
reason it was not picked up for inclusion in the list archive (yes, 
we have an archive!!!  Tune your browser to:
       http://www.ari.net/mdosprey/ 

Anyway, I'm re-posting it to make sure it gets into the archive as I 
think it's important that late-comers see this message too.

Thanks for your patience...

Norm


From:          "Norm Saunders" <osprey@mtolympus.ari.net>
Organization:  The Osprey's Nest
To:            Rob Hilton <robert@csa.com>, mdosprey@ARI.Net
Date:          Wed, 15 Oct 1997 18:31:04 -0500
Subject:       Why MDOsprey???
Reply-to:      mdosprey@ARI.Net

Dear Rob,

I'm replying to you, but also replying to the MDOsprey list, as well,
because this may well be an issue for others.

On 10/14/97 you wrote:

> With all respect due to you for your electronic labors over the
> years, I am wondering.  How does MDOsprey differ from the already
> existing electronic mailing list, Marvadel?  That covers the whole
> Washington area, granted, and not just Maryland.  But still, I am
> puzzled as to why there should be two lists covering (at least part
> of) the Washington metropolitan area.  
> 
> Best, 
> Rob
> Rob Hilton [robert@csa.com--Bethesda etc. Md. (near Washington,
> D.C., USA)]


I've been a subscriber to Marvadel for a long time.  It does a great
job of getting rare bird info out to folks.  I feel decidedly
uncomfortable though venting my desire to just chat over there.

The Osprey's Nest BBS was always a place for idle chatter as well as
for rare bird alerts, a place where birders had an opportunity to
actually get to know each other a bit better.  Where else would I have
had an opportunity to trade friendly punches with an avid local
hunter?  Where else would I have learned of a local birder's
proclivity for a fine meal and a good cup of coffee at the end of his
birding day?  Now when I go somewhere new, I know who to ask for
dining tips!  Where else did we arrange mid-summer picnics and
mid-winter bird and chili get-togethers?  Probably three-fourths of
the Maryland birders I now count as friends I met on TON.

This is why I decided that there was more than ample room for another
list.  I still like to chat.  I still like to trade war-stories with
my fellow birders.  I still think others feel the same way I do.

Ultimately, you and others like you will be the telling factor when we
decide in a year or so whether MDOsprey has reached its potential.

I think there's more than enough room for another list in Maryland.  I
hope you agree with me and decide to join us here!

Cheers,
Norm Saunders
Colesville, MD