🚀 go-pugleaf

> I think so.  It sounds like Jeff thinks so.  I'd say the executive committee on
> DECUServe is evenly split three ways on this - for, against, don't know.  

What's the best way to lobby the Decuserve exec?  Via mail (anyone have
an address list handy?)

> I
> don't think it's going to be as difficult as you might think.  We just need
> some convincing arguments as to how we are going to keep from adversely
> affecting revenues.  

Let me try a swing.  First, let's ask the question - should revenue be an
issue?  There was a proposal floated for a couple years to make DECUServe
access free, which made the next-to-final budget in 1991, but was cut
by the board in the final review (so they could do IMPORTANT things
like buy training for themselves... but that's another flame fest).

Is there any plans/desires to do this again?  If so, it could render
the entire issue moot.  The purpose of the society is to promote 
information exchange between members, not promote information change
when the society can make a buck at it.  If I recall, the original intent
as proposed was DECUServe be self supporting.  My speculation is that
DECUServe has become a revenue stream, like symposia, which funds other
things;  given the general shape of the economy, there are valid arguments
for protecting any revenue stream;  however, given that there is generally
an agreement both the net readers and the DECUServe readers would generally
benefit from bi-directional access, we should ask the question:  Is the
protection of this revenue stream getting in the way of the goals of the
DECUServe project in specific, and in the goals of the Society in general?

This being said, what would best provide for technical communications?  
I personally think the greatest participation by the greatest number would
be most benificial;  for every 1000 people or so that read it, one of those
rare experts like Jamie or Terry Kennidy come along who provide invaluable
advise and help to the other 999 of us.  Given my druthers, I'd like to 
see full by directional access, with little or no controls (I could live
with weeding out of the totally out of place stuff).

Less desirable would be wide distribution with limited posting;  my hope
wold be this would encourage people to sign up;  I don't think it would
be as useful as open posting.

Still useful to be would be some sort of subscription via news, eg, I'd
still rather have the info come to me rather than me connect to a system
to get it.  This makes MY life easier;  it does not expand the number of
people exchanging information.

And, let's assume that we want to, for whatever reason, not impact the
DECUServe revenue stream.  I think this is doable for several reasons:

1)  The decuserve offering become more valuable due to wider participation.

2)  Many people do not have access to news and mail.  In addition to notes,
    these added services may attract users.

3)  Value added services not readily available on the net.  For example,
    access to the Sigtapes.  I would expect that a wider selection of
    library offerings might attract more users.  Allow free access to 
    information;  however, library access and such require membership.
    There are a number of other value added services that could be added,
    including access to compilers and tools.