[meteorite-list] What doesn't this list use an online

Sun Feb 24 02:22:04 EST 2008

One item below caught my attention:

> JKG...the fact that it has been around for 11 years says a lot.  If
> you knew who the list of members included you would be surprised and
> possible humbled a bit.  Many of the "big" names in meteoritical
> science are member of the Met. List.

I have no doubt that this statement is absolutely true.  There is a
tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise on this list.

But I am relatively new, and I mainly see the responses of a group of
members who seem to know each other for a long time - most of whom seem to
be dealers and collectors.  If I have not recognized the names of the
well-known meteorite scientists, or if I have the wrong impression, it is
due to my ignorance and I apologize.

But to the best of my knowledge, I have not seen the responses of many
university scientists on the list, nor the responses of many museum
curators.  I have no doubt that a good many are members of the list.  And I
believe that the statement above implies that my assessment may not be that
far off base.  "If you knew who the list of members included ..." - - -
sounds like this is not common knowledge and that these scientists don't
post a lot, or else their names would be more known to the list members at
large.

So my question is this - why don't they participate more?  Everyone has a
busy schedule, university scientist or not.  I am a member of several
non-meteorite lists where there is a lot of participation from universities
and institutions.

Again, if my assessment is wrong, I apologize for my ignorance.

I pose this question not only to the dealers and collectors, but to the
meteorite scientists and curators who may be out there reading the posts.
Your input would be very valuable to everyone.

Just want to be sure no one misunderstands what I am saying - I'm not trying
to change anything.  I am trying to understand what the dynamics of the list
are as a relatively new member.

Thanks for any input, and sorry if I have misunderstood or misstated
anything.

Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JKGwilliam" <h3chondrite at cox.net>
To: "David & Kitt Deyarmin" <bobadebt at ec.rr.com>;
<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 12:06 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] What doesn't this list use an online

> David,
> I think you've already made your point.  Those member of the
> Meteorite List who care to comment have done so already.  I was the
> first to reply to your original message and expressed my opinion that
> I liked the idea of a forum.  However, after having some more time to
> think about it, I've decided I like Art's format the way it is.  I
> belong to several forums so I know how to get around in them.  One
> that I belong to has problems on a regular basis that require the
> owner to spend a lot of time making fixes.  Forums also have a pretty
> steep learning curve that a lot of folks probably don't want to fuss with.
> But, the real reason I replied to your message was to respond to some
> of your questions.  See my answers inserted below.
>
> At 07:23 PM 2/22/2008, David & Kitt Deyarmin wrote:
> >Please explain the following:
> >
> >1. The meteorite list is a time-honoured institution.
> >
> >It's only been around for 11 years.  What did you use before the list?
>
> JKG...the fact that it has been around for 11 years says a lot.  If
> you knew who the list of members included you would be surprised and
> possible humbled a bit.  Many of the "big" names in meteoritical
> science are member of the Met. List.
>
>
>
> >2.We love the old-fashion style
> >
> >Who is we?  Are you speaking for the entire membership?
>
> JKG...I think "we" includes a majority of the List including
> myself.  I love old-fashion cameras  with metal bodies and real glass
> lenses.  I like cars and guns made of metal too. For some reason, I
> just can't get used to the idea of plastic car parts or the Glock
> plastic pistols.  I like old-fashion girls without all the Botox,
> fake nails and eyelashes and gel bags ( or is it saline nowadays).  I
> like old TV programs.  Even though I have over 200 cable channels to
> choose from,  I find myself watching a lot of Andy Griffith, Lucille
> Ball, Rowen and Martin and movies in B&W.  There are a lot of us in
> the "over fifty " crowd that like the "old-fashion" things in
> life.  Man...I remember this one particular 1956 Checy I had back in
> 1968...wish I still had it.  Newer isn't always better; progress does
> not result in an improvement.
>
>
>
> >3. A forum offers a lot of more knickknack. It's more laboriously to use,
> >
> >How is a forum had to use
>
> JKG...For one thing, a forum requires a lot more mouse click to read
> through all the topic and replies.  As well as I know how to use most
> forum formats, they're easy to get lost in.  One goal I've been
> working on for the past few years is to simplify my life.  Fewer
> mouse click = simpler life.
>
>
>
>
> >4. unclear, the threads are more difficult to follow
> >
> >How is unclear and how could a thread with every reply in
> >chronological order be difficult to follow?
> >
> >
> >
> >5. and it would cause much more work for poor Art.
> >
> >Why would it cause more work for Art?
> >
>
> JKG...sound like you're looking for an argument at this point.  And,
> since I'm trying to simplify my life, this is where I get off the bus.
>
> Best,
> John
>
>
> >6. The conversation there would be less formal, hence a lot of not
> >so interesting stuff to read ect.
> >
> >
> >Again, why would it be less formal, not that this list is formal by
> >any stretch
> >
> >
> >7. you had to fight through hundreds of pictures, which might not
> >interest you....
> >
> >In all my years I have never read a thread that had hundreds of
> >images. However wouldn't it be nice to be able to see a picture that
> >someone wanted to post instead of having to click on a URL which has
> >been interrupted and split into to 2 lines, so you have to go back
> >and cut and paste each part into the address bar.
> >______________________________________________
> >http://www.meteoritecentral.com
> >Meteorite-list mailing list
> >Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> >http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>
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