Allow me to publicly again express my thanks to SPAH for accepting the financial responsibility of maintaining Harp-L. For a time back there, we were really on the ropes, and it didn't look promising for our continuance. But SPAH came forth to pay our back bills and keeps us current, literally saving Harp-L from probable demise. I'm very grateful for this rescue and continued aid, and as was explained to us last fall, to have Harp-L was in the best interest of the harmonica world, and SPAH as well, who naturally viewed its existence as also beneficial to its own animus. Everyone has benefited, and that goes generously for me, also.
I have noted some messages akin to the sentiments of Alec Drachman, however, who wrote:
> I don't mean to be rude, but I think that those who are complaining > loudest should come forward and help administer the list.
And I apologize for any real or perceived rudeness on my part as well, in particular my initial reaction to the added footer to all our mail. Yet, I think also this suggestion applies to all, and I'd hope it could be recog- nized that outcries such as mine are made with the best interest of Harp-L in mind. I feel certain there is a better way to have done this, or to DO this, and that is my point. What saddens me is to see good ideas [granted, as I see them to be] discounted in favor of methods already decided, without consultation or even previous announcement to allow comment by those with opinions or perhaps better solutions.
But as for coming forward to help, two things... First, just because someone doesn't complain doesn't release them from any more responsibility than any other. Too often, people accept feeling good by their saying nice things, and then feel that excuses them from having to expend any further energy to a good cause. And second, it does not follow, and should never be assumed, that those "who are complaining loudest" don't do any more than complain. In fact, those who "complain" are often they who are the most involved and active, and their discontent reflects their deep desires to see things done right and handled fairly. It does well to remember that revolutionaries complain a lot... but progress requires revolution. I'd rather be a rebel than a sheep anyday.
And BTW, I think a couple great revolutionaries among us are Danny Wilson and Bob Williams. I know Bob faced opposition to his notions to bail out this list, yet he persevered, and probably complained a little, too. But, he succeeded and now Harp-L survives. As for Danny, he'd never admit it, but he's a rebel, the quiet type... jovial, friendly, and caring, but with a burning fire in the belly to see things through and to realize progress. Very few can deny the effectiveness of his approach to advancing harmonica. I may disagree with how things are going sometimes, but these guys are a couple of giants and can move and shake like few can to make things happen. Harp-L, and harmonica in general, are very lucky to have them.
Still, I do wish they'd consider my suggestion a bit more seriously... which is, to restate once more:
Harp-L could have a regular, perhaps daily, List Advisory which may contain various elements, for instance:
A brief note of how to unsubscribe from the 4 different lists, i.e..... ...Send an email to majordo~arp.com with the appropriate message(s): ...unsubscribe harp-l ...unsubscribe harp-l-digest ...unsubscribe harp-l-friends ...unsubscribe harp-l-clubnews
And/or a link to the SPAH website for further info on Harp-L and SPAH.
The SPAH disclaimer for content of Harp-L posts.
Announcements of interest to Harp-L members in general.
This sort of periodic message could prove both helpful and purposeful. In addition, it would likely reduce the total bandwidth caused by the present footer being used, would give a natural space and opportunity for SPAH to post information pertinent to listmembers, and would be less unsightly and bothersome [to those who care! ;)]
Please take a look at this proposition and consider its merits. And to return to the issue of volunteerism mentioned in Alec's post, I will offer to be responsible for its periodic appearance on the list. And just to make one last comment regarding "coming forward" to help, as I said, never assume one who complains to be less involved. I only began computing three years ago, found Harp-L, and have tried to do my share to insure its life continues in any way I am able to contribute ever since then. I was a member of the Harp-L-Workers list which still exists but seems mute lately. And in my own limited ways, I constantly try to help offline, having been on the "dawn patrol", as Mike C. calls it, for most of my membership time. It's not always what I want to do, but it helps, so it matters to me that I do it. And that's all the thanks I need.
This list is the best. It's what invigorated my stagnating involvement in harmonica. And though only a diatonic dabbler, it opened doors to me of which I'd never even known, not to mention meeting Doug and actually taking my harmonica interests into designing them. Who'd have thunk it?
Anyway, that's it for now... Thanks, SPAH, Bob, and Danny... and may I add:
Harp-L Rules!! ________ ___________________________________________________________ =[ BOBBIE ]= ==================================== * Harp Spoken Here * ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For details on Harp-L use and unsubscribing see the SPAH, Inc. website at http://members.aol.com/harmonica/harp-l.html
