Message:

[

Previous   Next

]

By Topic:

[

Previous   Next

]

Subject:

Re: Some Thoughts on MDOsprey

From:

"Wilkerson, Jordan T."

Reply-To:

Wilkerson, Jordan T.

Date:

Wed, 25 May 2005 14:58:38 -0400

Norm,
Since you ask for replies on the list...

Thanks for taking the time and money to maintain MDOsprey.

I am willing to help subsidize the cost of the list.  If one of your
more prominent contributors will organize a fund raiser, then we could
increase the subscriber and/or storage limit.

However, keep in mind that if you accept financial contributions from
others, then expect that those contributors will also expect a say in
how it is run.

So, along this control line...
1)  I will not contribute financially to a low-level chat server, and I
too have decreasing patience for drawn-out [not very] humorous
interchanges.  Several times in the recent past I have threatened to
leave the list due to the volume of useless information in my inbox.
However, every time I'm ready to leave you post a message asking people
to knock it off. (thank you)

2)  I prefer to have replies sent to the author, not to MDOsprey.  If I
want the list to hear my response, then I know the address.  How many
emails does the list get that are immediately followed with an "oops,
sorry" email?  Or what about the "me too" replies that include all of
the original email?

3)  There is a great deal of expertise about the habitat and behavior of
birds contributed to this list.  I agree that bird related environmental
discussions should ensue, even if it is not about the bird itself.  I
also don't mind someone posting about a bird in another state as long as
we don't spend the rest of the week on MDOsprey organizing road trips to
trample the visitor.

4)  Everyone (Please!) should consider the value of the information they
are about to post.  If it's the first catbird of the year, or nearly the
first or last of whatever, then it is of some value.  However, we don't
need to report about every canada goose and house finch that passes the
window unless there is something remarkable about it.  Obviously, there
are always novices excited about their first-ever yellow-rump and they
are, of course, welcome to post that sighting; however, I suspect the
public is generally not interested in the progress of every one else's
annual life list for a particular square foot of property next to their
house.  Again, if that is remarkable because it is early, or out of
range, or exhibits some notable behavior, then of course post it;
otherwise, I don't care about your first grackle of the year.

5)  I agree that there is no room for religious or political
conversations on this platform.  This list should include sightings,
scientific evidence, and opinions related to birds.

Enough for now...
Take care, Jordan

Jordan Wilkerson
Cloverly, MD (MoCo)