Re: ADMIN: An Open Letter to the TECHWR-L Community

[Al Geist <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>]

There are two things going on here--our desire to keep the list service 
free, open and as neutral as possible and the Ray's desire to get a good 
return on their investment.  On the first subject,  I'll say it 
again....Why should I be forced to join an organization, regardless of 
how nominal the fee, that has never helped me improve my writing or my 
writing career?  If STC was so good, then how come they never started 
anything like TECHWR-L long ago?  I can only assume it's because 
TECHWR-L is more than a social club.  I can also assume that the most 
vocal members of this forum, who are often the most knowledgeable and 
helpful, are not STC members and are not going to join just so they can 
remain members of TECHWR-L.  It's a great forum, but it ain't the only 
gig in town.  On the second subject, the Rays' have put a lot of effort 
and (I assume) a significant investment in this list service and would 
like to see that hard work rewarded.   As with any business, you can't 
run it by volunteers because volunteers get tired and move one.  A high 
turnover rate would be as detrimental to TECHWR-L as STC ownership would 
be.   The idea that a group of volunteers, or a PBS style governing 
board, could run the service and keep it neutral and professional is a 
bit too collegiate I think.  Again, more two cents worth.....

Jones, Donna wrote: