[RTC List] Limitations of e-mail lists

[Rick Gustafson]

Hello all.

 

The size of PST files is a major issue here at The Sun Valley Group.  The
fact the entire comment is emailed to all in the List is wasteful of both up
bandwidth and disc storage.  Would not the List be better served by sending
a brief message stating that one of us has posted a message/comment with and
a brief statement (subject) of the content.  We then would decide, as
individuals, if we are interested enough to proceed to another web-based
application to review the post. 

 

Rick Gustafson

IT Manager

The Sun Valley Group

707 825-5895

707 826-8497 - Fax

707 845-7730 _ Cell

  _____  

From: list-bounces at redwoodtech.org [mailto:list-bounces at redwoodtech.org] On
Behalf Of Dwight Winegar
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 8:28 AM
To: list at redwoodtech.org
Subject: Re: [RTC List] Limitations of e-mail lists

 

Once again with the following comments below we are reminded of the
limitations of e-mail lists for communications vs. the superiority that
Bulletin Boards (BBS) once provided. In the days before Internet browsers
connecting us with the world for information we were much more readily
available to true local and regional information and discussion. Today's
Wikis and Blogs do not readily or easily do the same job as a GUI (desktop
folder based) BBS. 

 

On a second point the limitations of discussion on a list-service are also
not necessarily in the best interests of community reflection. Humboldt
County has some truly diverse opinions, often of the extremes, and while
some people may also attempt to be more vocal on extremist fringes in some
of our communities, we have in the past invited "roundtable" discussion for
the formulations of policy. Such was the format of the Economic Development
Forum, which later became the Prosperity forum, crafting the Prosperity
Document, from whence ultimately came the seeds for RTC and other "clusters"
of the North Coast economy. 

 

As someone who has moderated other online groups, and currently a couple of
mail lists as well, I find there are some people who believe in absolutely
"no censorship" (in their terminology). This I would have to disagree with.
There are limits, both in "netiquette" as well as staying on-topic relative
to the objectives of the list. As such, some moderators have also created
separate lists known as "off-topic." To relegate discussion with such black
and white choices is surely limiting of true participation and well-rounded
diversity of reflection. 

 

Therefore I'm of the opinion that our local communities and North Coast
Redwood Region are in need of "technology" that provides more potentials for
communication, news, reflection on important civic topics, including but not
limited to the defined realms of our Economic Development Clusters (of which
Technology and RTC) is one part. So, with regards to Rob's comment below
that we should "stay focused" I would quite agree, if we were experiencing
extreme digress from the topic or organization's goals. At the same time, we
may be truly limiting communication, participation, diversity of views, and
the knowledge in this "information age" of Technology, not to mention the
potential for flooding e-mailboxes by the limitations of one listserve as
our communications venue. 

 

- Dwight Winegar 

 

On 17 Jan 2008, at 03:40, Arkley, Rob wrote:





Dear All,

I think that Aaron may be well intentioned, but his input goes way beyond
what I feel that Redwood Technology should go I its input. Mr. Atrim also
has a advocacy piece about the Bay and it is future. Needless to say, he and
I agree on little. However, we should all agree that we need more telecom
and IT service.

Mr. Antrim's suggestions below are at best growth prohibiting and simply go
far beyond the real issues that I believe that our group has in mind. Let's
stay focused on our goal and not become broadly advocacy based with the
exception of issues directly in our charge. If we don't stay focused, we
will lose our emphasis and power which a broad based and coalition has. 

I don't want to start a huge and vitriolic e mail chain, but rather stay
focused on our real goals, which are far more limited and surgical in nature
than the below comments suggest. I am convinced that if we stay focused and
surgical, we will have much more likelihood of success.

vty,

Rob .

 

 

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