Re: list warehouse

andrew l rabin (andyrab@wam.umd.edu)
Wed, 1 Apr 1998 10:46:39 -0500 (EST) 

  Fran and all,

  I have given the idea of distibuting wish lists a bit of thought and
have come up with another idea that might be used instead of or in
addition to the "Top 10 most wanted list" idea.  I have not worked out all
the details because I'm sure some of you have ideas of your own that would
make the process more efficient.

   The process I have in mind is this:

 Everyone who has a wish list(s) should post it (them) to MDO.  Each list
should be for a specific county.  Birds that you need for the state or for
your life list should be included on each county list that you distribute.
Lists can be updated as desired birds are found, the seasons change and as
whims change (eg. You suddenly get a hankerin' for ahawkerin')  
  
 As the lists are posted on MDO, the rest of us ("reporters") can save
them into our own filing system which would probably best be arranged by
creating a folder for each county.  Those county lists that are for
counties that reporters don't normally visit can be deleted (though it
would probably be a good idea if at least one person saved all of the
lists and acted as the "reference librarian").  If any reporter sees an
unusual bird, s/he can look at her/his folder in the county in which the
bird was seen and notify those who wish to see that bird in that county.
(We can all be both reporters and listers.)

 This procedure puts the burden of work on the listers themselves instead
of a single compiler (do I hear a sigh of relief?), which seems perfectly
fair. To make it easier for the reporters, lists should be in some
standardized, easy to read format- "PG County wish list" on subject line,
limit the number of birds on each county list (20? The # of birds that fit
on one screen?), list the birds in alphabetical order, limit the frequency
of updated lists to once every 2 weeks (or whatever) so that the rest of
us aren't inundated with mail every day, etc.  This method would also
enable listers to update their lists as the seasons change and the
probability of a desired bird showing up increases.  The system will be as
effective as reporters are willing to report, so ease of reporting should
be considered.

  For example, Jane Birder wishes to see a European Starling for her life
list.  She would then send out lists, which include the Starling, for each
county she would be willing to visit in order to get a glimpse of the
ever-elusive Starling.  When I (John Birder) receive all of these lists,
I would delete all of them except the Montgomery County list because I do
almost all of my birding in Montgomery County.  If, perchance, I stumble
upon such a rare and magnificent creature on one of my birdwalks in the
area, I could then race home and open up my "Montgomery County wish list"
folder and reply to all those who wish to see the Starling in this county.
Imagine Jane Birder's joy when she sees a message in her inbox with the
subject "STARLING DISCOVERED!!!"  Oh, what joy!

  Jane could then drop everything she is doing, even if it includes
changing her infant's diapers, grab her binoculars and scope and follow my
directions to where her Holy Grail of birds is to be found.  After staring
at and photographing the wondrous Starling, Jane could wipe the drool off
of her chin and go home knowing that her life finally has meaning and is
almost complete (there's still the Frederick County House Sparrow to be
spotted).

  She would then, of course, relate the thrill of the chase to all of us
on MDO and we could all live vicariously through her description of how
she snuck up upon the exquisite yellow-billed bird.

  After the mass euphoria waned, Jane would be ready for her new pursuit-
the previously mentioned Frederick County subspecies of the House Sparrow
(Passerus domesticus shoppingmallicus).  She would then delete the
European Starling from all of her county lists and add, on her Frederick
County list, that feathered gem, the House Sparrow.  Not wanting to waste
any time, Jane would immediately send her updated lists, which have
somehwere on the subject line the word "update" (so that the reporters
would know to replace her old list(s) with her new one(s)), to MDO.  And
the adventure would begin anew...


  I am sure I have overlooked some details and problems with this system.
How many MDOers are there?  How many lists will be circulating?   I look
forward to eventually seeing this work.

Good Birding!

Andy Rabin (Avesphile sarcasticus)
Gaithersburg, MD
andyrab@wam.umd.edu

P.S. I do not have my field guide with me, so please do not flame me if
the scientific name of the House Sparrow is incorrect.



On Tue, 31 Mar 1998, Fran Saunders wrote:

> Greg and all...go ahead and send me your "wish lists."  We will 
> see how demanding the job gets before making any adjustments 
> and/or revisit the idea again.  Are we limiting ourselves to MD 
> birds?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --------------------------------
> Fran Saunders
> Maryland Ornithological Society
> State Web Site Director
> saunderf@ari.net
> http://www2.ari.net/saunderf/mos/mos.html
>