<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2">I have participated for a number of years in a professional organization that meets every other month to discuss professional and personal questions that seem timely. It's an open system in the sense that anyone may come to meetings, and come whenever they wish. Every meeting begins with a brief history of the organization, and a reminder of the rules--only two: No marketing or job-hunting is allowed in the meeting, just a brief announcement of coming events at the end. And it is agreed that anything that is discussed in the meeting, such as designs for professional work, may be used by anyone who participates in the discussion.<BR>
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There's no "right or wrong" about these conditions, just a general agreement that this is the way we want this particular group to operate. When I look at how the OSList clarifies our operating principles, I guess it is through the FAQ document. So maybe we want to take a look at whether that document addresses the question of access that we are struggling with.<BR>
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Personally, I feel that whatever I put on the Internet goes where it goes. Even without archives or Google, a piece of writing which is moving or helpful or funny or outrageous is likely to travel a long way by the simple process of people forwarding to their friends. That creates a rich interchange with friends and colleagues--and also some moments of embarrassment when I hit the wrong button and send what was intended as a personal note to 300+ people. The Internet is connecting us in ways we have never been connected before, for better or for worse. Or, it is making visible the complex network of connections which has been there all along.<BR>
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My two cents' worth--<BR>
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Joelle </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"></FONT></HTML>
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